Jean raises questions about the imediate weighing after delivery.  This
is my point exactly when I suggest that the 24 hour weight be used as
the reference for future weights rather than birth weight.  Given 2
hypothetical identical babies in every way-one pees and poops right
after delivery and before weighing and the other does so right after
weighing.  You're going to see a difference.  The next day the second
one is going to look like a greater weight loss than the first one. Even
picking a specific time post delivery for the "official" weight won't
give us a totally accurate picture.  Weight MUST be seen as one factor
in assessing how an infant is doing, but it is too often seen as the
primary, most reliable factor.

As Jean points out, it's not just for medical "convenience" that weight
is done so quickly-even before a first feed can occur.  When new parents
report the birth to family and firends the first questions are: "Boy or
girl?" and "What did he/she weigh?".  Somewhere along the line "Is the
baby OK?" comes in, but not always the first question.  (Probably it is
assumed to be OK unless parents mention something-a good thing as the
vast majority of newborns are just fine.)

The computer age brings in a new obstacle to uninterrupted first times
with baby.  In our hospital, and I assume it's not that unusual, info
for the official delivery record includes weight, length and whether
"eyes and thighs" (ointment and Vitamin K shot) were done.  Since this
record is a vital part of the new chart being compiled for baby, delays
in getting the info in are stumbling blocks.  When I worked Mom/Baby and
was baby nurse at delivery, I would refuse to do "eyes and thighs" until
just before the 1 hour "limit".  The L&D nurse, trying to finish off the
delivery record would often say, "I put in the computer that you did
them, so you better be sure you do."  It is a system problem, but it
does get in the way.  Computerized records are great for the most part,
but at times their rigidity can interfere with trying to allow things to
occur naturally.

Winnie

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