I wish to reiterate that the idea of going by percent weight loss is not a
good idea. I think it will lead to bad practice, including interventions
when they are not necessary and reassurance when it is not warranted.

Watch the baby breastfeed! If the baby is breastfeeding well and getting
milk (open-pause-close type of sucking) the weight will come up even if the
baby has lost 15%. And if the baby spends his time nibbling and not
drinking, he will continue losing, even if the weight is down 3%.

We have too much confidence in scales. Scales are not always calibrated.
People have written down the wrong weights. The scales at the doctor's
office are different from the ones in the hospital.

I cannot believe that lactation consultants are basing practice on % weight
loss.  This is pseudoscience.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC