In my area of the USA babies are weighed at birth, at hosp d/c (24 hrs for
vag, and 72 hrs for C/S - actually they are weighed every day they are in
hosp), then at 2 wks peds checkup, then 2 mos and every 2 mos or so when
they get their immunizations after that (most do here). This is pretty
standard. This is probalby overkill for some babies and certainly not enough
for others, IMO.
I look at the individual situation and schedule wt checks earlier or at
frequent intervals when I think it is needed. Or if the followup phone call
at day 4 indicates bf not going well, I bring them in for eval and wt.
I don't know that a set schedule can be used for all babies. Maybe it has to
be individualized. If they're not bf well, they are not going to be gaining
on air, so I don't know how useful the wt is, except to confirm that the
baby is not feeding well. You can see it in the jaundice, low output, etc.
If the feeding is going well then the baby is thriving, plenty of diapers,
etc, then what do we need a wt for except a seal of approval? So I do not
know exactly what the right schedule would be. I am open to hearing more
opinions about it. I appreciate Barbara Wilson-Clay's report on Jane's talk
at LLLI. I really agree, at this stage of my knowledge and experience, that
a small wt loss and a quick regain and passing of b.wt is what I would
consider normal. Anything out of those parameters would be worrisome to me.
Breastfeeding is a robust process, and healthy babies are robust.

Laurie Wheeler, RN, MN, IBCLC
Violet Louisiana, s.e. USA

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