I think how we view a scale may vary a lot with culture, and that may influence whether we should even be using it. Where I live, it doesn't seem to intimidate or rule. It's more an interesting way to corroborate what the mother and I think we're seeing. I usually first have her assess for herself whether this seemed like a typical feeding, or a snack, or Thanksgiving dinner. And we may use it several times, looking at each breast or at first-round and second-round intake. I must confess I like it in part because it's such a good conversationalist. Mostly our conversations are pretty ordinary; the scale simply adds another piece to an already pretty clear picture. But sometimes it has surprising things to say.
Father: I know my daughter takes 3 1/2 oz from a bottle, and there's just no way she can get that from a breast. I want my wife to keep doing some pumping.
Scale: 3 1/2 oz.
Father: By golly! I would never have guessed!
Baby, weighed for no particular reason (thriving child, curious mom): *vomits* down her back as soon as he's removed from scale, with none of it getting on him.
Me: Ooh, now's our chance to weigh spit up! Put him back on the scale!
Scale: no measurable weight change.
Mother: The doctor says she's just slim.
Scale: .6 oz
Mother: Ah, that explains it. I did wonder if maybe she wasn't getting as much as she needed.
Aunt: There's no reason that my sister should have to nurse him all the time. He looks fine.
Scale, after maybe 40 minutes: 1.8 oz
Aunt: Now I get it. She's had to nurse him all the time *in order* for him to gain okay. What's the next step?
Mother: They say he's breastfeeding fine, but I just don't think so.
Scale: 1 oz
Mother: I *knew* it!
Mother: I know he still can't get all the way past my large nipples, but is he doing any better?
Scale: 2 oz
Mother: Wow! A whole half ounce more than last week! I love how it keeps going up. We're almost there! May we come next week just for fun?
Me, to myself, called in to consult with a puzzled colleague: This scrawny little premie is just piddling around there. Poor mom. I'm barely hearing any swallows at all.
Scale: 3 oz
Me: YIKES! No wonder the picture has been so confusing!
The stories are true. The names have been omitted to protect the innocent.
Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC Ithaca, NY USA
www.wiessinger.baka.com
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