I am always fearful when people get into a "numbers" game. Since when is a
4-6 oz weight gain NOT good? Usual weight gain considered adequate is 4-7
oz/week, which avereages to 1-2 lbs/month.

Big problem, however, is in giving the mothe the impression that she must
watch a scale rather than her baby.  I believe that one of the greatest
services an LC can offer a mother is reassurance that daily weights (or
even weeklies except in circumstances requiring it) are less useful than
observation of her baby.

I had one mom whose baby was born 5 weeks early. She was told baby HAD to
have at least 4 oz/feeding every three hours from birth, but that baby was
TOO WEAK to breastfeed. So she bottle-fed him (forcing him to take 4 oz)
for 4 weeks.

One of her most telling comments when we took the bottle away and began him
on breast (with help of SNS, as he would not initiate sucking, having never
had to do so before) was: "He seems a lot happier now and not nearly so
gassy." She alrso reported that his stools were considerably less explosive
and not quite as voluminous.

His rate of gain has dropped from nearly a lb a week to 8-10 oz/week, still
very nice and he now smiles and coos.  He had a worried look about him when
I first saw him, wrinkled forehead and pushed away when held.



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         %% "We are all faced with a series of great  %%
         %% opportunities brilliantly disguised as    %%
         %% impossible situations" - definition of a  %%
         %% lactation consulting service.             %%
         %% Kathleen G. Auerbach, PhD, IBCLC          %%
         %% [log in to unmask]   Homewood, Illinois USA %%
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