It always bugs me when we read that something increases baby's weight and
then turn around and talk about that same baby having "excessive weight
loss" or referring to the weight loss in general.  The article in the most
recent JHL did the same thing.  If baby's weight is atrificially high
secondary to some labor interventions, we shouldn't be talking about
"weight loss" but "weight normalization" or something similar.  While the
term "weight loss" can be very positive im many of us as adults, when
parents (and HCPs) hear the term in infants, it immediately conjures up a
negative image.  This occurs long before any description of what is
"normal" weight loss.  A baby can be born at 10 pounds, but if the parent
hears "your baby lost----ounces", no matter if it is just an ounce or two,
too many parents immediately worry and this initial negative response
(subtle and fleeting though it may be) may well not be countered by all the
explaining we may do about how normal, even acceptable this "loss may be. 
I still contend that the 24 hour weight should be the basis for any future
reference except in the case of babaies who may be compromised at birth.

Winnie

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