First of all these were not babies at the breast. Second they were 
weighing or assessing from the bottle measurements.

For problem situations, test weighing saves time and reassures the 
mother. We talk about babies with oral motor problems. The only way to 
really know that these are low intake feedings is by test weights. 
Because the baby looks good, makes gulping and swallowing sounds, but is 
taking in almost nothing, has poor weight gain, is fussy etc. Posterior 
tongue ties are often caught after test weights show poor intake.

Rachel (I think) asked how do we know when the intake stops being ok? We 
do several test weights during the feed. I might do them every five to 
ten minutes minutes depending on what baby is doing. I often do 4-6 
weight checks during a total feeding. I can catch at the point baby is 
no longer removing milk within the last test weight.

I often work with failure to thrive babies who are quiet after feedings 
or who look and sound like they are sucking well. It is the test weights 
that show us when things are not working well and how to supplement to 
increase the weight.

People have been going on and on about how normal babies don't need test 
weights, this is correct and no one is advocating this unless mom just 
has to be reassured that yes she has milk.

Moms in the USA always blame their milks supply for the BF problems. I 
have used test weights to show a mom with an abundant milk supply 
(through pumping) that the problem is her baby;s oral motor issues not 
herself.

Kathy Eng, BSW, IBCLC

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

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 email list is powered by LISTSERV (R).
There is only one LISTSERV. To learn more, visit:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html