I also endorse strongly the use of good scales - our nurses carry scales
with them that are accurate to 2 ounces - OK for regular weights, but not
enough for breastfeeding evaluations.  They always weigh the babies naked,
and when I follow with "my" (owened by the County Health Department, not me
personally) scale (we have 3 Baby Weigh Scales available for breastfeeding
evaluations), find they're doing fine for "rough" weights (we calibrate them
regularly, with a 10K weight).  

We ALWAYS weigh the baby naked first - whether my scale or theirs (sometimes
both, if they're going to return, they want a weight on THEIR scale and not
just on mine - and then with a diaper on my scale if I'm going to evaluate
intake.  Even though my scale stores the weight in memory, I write all these
numbers down, as at times toddlers present have been known to push buttons
at the least opportune times.

I'm actually amazed at how well my scale keeps calibrated - have only had to
recalibrate once in the last 2 years.  We use it with batteries, which makes
it heavier, but less troublesome as we are going in and out of homes where
plugs may or may not be easily accessible.  I have kept it for weeks in the
trunk of my car - which must go to horribly hot temperatures in the summer
here in California, but still does fine.  

Many may not feel that scales are appropriate for breastfeeding evaluations
- that they give moms stress - that has not been my experience.  I find them
reassuring for moms - or informative. At times moms refuse to supplement
when necessary, and then the scales gives them a clear picture of the
intake.  In my position, they help me document clearly what I've observed -
and give me a basis of comparison. It is not the ONLY thing I look at (suck,
is this a "usual" feeding or did baby just eat before I came or did mom just
pump? Etc...), but is an important part of my documentation.

Scales, like every other tool we use, can be mis-used - but in my experience
they have many more pluses than minuses.  

...and yes, as a new mother in 1971 I used one of those old spring scales -
and found Larry had LOST weight after feeding - which made me put that scale
in the garage for the duration!

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, PHN, IBCLC
California

PS - I get NO financial benefit for naming products...

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