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Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
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Tue, 8 Dec 1998 15:31:55 +0000
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Like Magda, I observe from the posts that test weighing may (in the right
hands) have a role to play...alongside a good knowledge of bf in all its
many aspects, a high level of skill and support, and alongside good 'follow
through' ....plus an almost 100 per cent reliable set of scales. None of
these circumstances prevailed when test weighing (thankfully) disappeared
(almost)  a generation ago in the UK.

I am *still* puzzled over what would be a 'good', 'poor' or 'average'
result in a test weigh - given that we know feeds differ in volume and in
calorific content.  And even if you have a notional 'norm' of x mls per
feed, you could, surely, get a 'false positive' or a 'false negative'
where that one feed meets or doesn't meet the norm,  and the next feed
might be different. Surely the overall weight and progress of the baby, his
behaviour at the breast, how the mother experiences bf (pain-free?
satisfied the baby's happy?), latching and feeding, overall behaviour and
response tells you a lot more?  Anyone want to enlighten me?

However,  knowing the limitations of what the test weigh can indicate,  I
guess, is part of knowing about bf...and in an informed and bf-friendly
person's repertoire,  test weighing could have a place.

I know when test weighing was done here, it was done (on innaccurate
scales, of course) to 'prove' bf was inadequate and to 'prove' the need for
supplements. My heart would sink if midwives and hps started doing it
again...electronic scales or no electronic scales.

As I posted yesterday, UK babies are in any case routinely and regularly
weighed as part of normal infant care,  and this is welcome - as Pat says
it's quite different from test weighing. When a mother contacts me, I need
to know how the baby is growing.

Thanks for all the responses on this - what do you do elsewhere in the
world?  I'd love to know.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne

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