> When i am watching a baby at 8-10%
> loss, I always want to consider the loss based on the bith experience to
> determine what situations are looking more serious on day 3-4.


I try to do this, too.  If a mother has had a long, induced labor, ending in
failure to progress and a cesarean, she has received a considerable amount
of pitocin and IV fluid.  These babies look "water-logged."

Lately, I look at the number of ounces lost, then add up the number of pees
and poops.  This sometimes gives me an explanation for the weight loss.  For
instance, I was looking into a 10.4% weight loss yesterday.  Baby was born
at 7#12oz, and went down to 7#0oz by day 3.  I counted wet and dirty diapers
and came up with 33.  Yes, thirty three.  Baby looked well hydrated, good
skin tone and nice pink skin color.  Breast exam revealed mother's milk was
coming in and she identified longer, slower suckles with audible swallows.
I was happy to chart that supplementation did not seem necessary.
Fortunately, the pedi agreed.

I don't usually see anything as dramatic as this one, but I do see babies
drop 7-8% in 48 hours.  It's the moms who have cesareans and stay an extra
day that we see 9-10% weight losses.  Counting diapers has helped me give
parents a reasonable explanation for weight loss.  Together with good latch
and positioning, they feel more confident about going home.

Jeanne Mitchell, RN, IBCLC
Austin, TX

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html