In response to Ingrid:

I have seen much reporting of anecdotal observations about test-weighing where people assume it is harmful to breastfeeding. Yet, I have not seen any peer-reviewed research to support that contention.  

I did a thorough review on the topic several years back when I presented at ILCA on the topic.  The following list includes two meta-analyses -- one on growth monitoring and another on test weighing.  

Magda Sachs work illustrates the misuse of the growth charts.The metaanalysis conducted by Marie Ruel looks at many studies on growth monitoring.  It is quite useful to understand how an inadequate understanding of how to use a tool can lead to its misuse and how an adequate understanding of its use can lead to very helpful interventions.  The most interesting of these was the use of growth monitoring as an empowerment tool for mothers in Tanzania.  Rather than pointing to a poorly implemented program to blame the tool, she took a much broader view with far more examples and pointed to examples of when it is helpful and when it is not helpful to use growth monitoring.  Unfortunately, sometimes those who work in developing areas of the world actually understand how to use such tools to better advantage than in developed areas of the world.  I find that in Manhattan, growth monitoring is relatively poorly understood.

Similar to the Tanzania situation, Paula Meier's work shows that used properly, test weighing, can end up being empowering for mothers.  I realize that many on Lactnet have seen the worst abuses of the scale.  Nevertheless, that does not negate the fact that the peer-reviewed evidence does show that the issue has to do with HOW the tool is used, not the TOOL itself.

I will again repeat that I constantly teach mothers how to use the information in ways that helps them MINIMIZE the use of formula. And I have been able to use it to prevent the totally ridiculous method of having a mother pump and bottle feed to determine what a baby is drinking.  That to me has to be the least accurate method of assessing milk intake that one can use.

Bibliography

Anscombe, Francis J. (1973) Graphs in statistical analysis. American Statistician, (1973) 27, 17–21.

Dowling DA, et. al. Cup-Feeding for Preterm Infants: Mechanics and Safety.  Journal of Human Lactation, 2002;18(1):13-20.
Habicht, J-P, Yarbrough, C. & Martorell R.  Anthropometric field methods: criteria for selection.  In:  Human Nutrition:  A Comprehensive Treatise.  Plenum Press, NY, NY.  1979;2:.

Hurst, JM, et al.  Mothers performing in-home measurement of milk intake during breastfeeding of their preterm infants: maternal reactions and feeding outcomes.  J.Hum. Lact.  2004;20(2):178-187.

Riordan J et al.  Indicators of effective breastfeeding and estimates of breast milk intake. J.Hum. Lact.  2005;21(4):406-412.

Ruel MT.  Chapter 5.  Growth monitoring as an education tool, an integrating strategy, and a source of information:  A review of experience. Child Growth and Nutrition in Developing Countries.  Priorities for Action.  Pinstrup-Andersen P., Pelletier D, and Alderman H. (eds)  Cornell University Press.  1995:78-96.

Sachs M, Dykes F, Carter B.  Feeding by the numbers: an ethnographic study of how breastfeeding women understand their babies’ weight charts.  International Breastfeeding Journal.  2006;1-29.

Scanlon K.S.  et al.  Assessment of Infant Feeding:  The validity of measuring milk intake.  Nutrition Reviews.  2002;60:235-251.

Savenije OEM & Brand PLP.  Accuracy and precision of test weighing to assess milk intake in newborn infants. Arch. Dis. Child.  Fetal Neonatal Ed.  2006;91:330-332.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accuracy May 30, 2007.

Sincerely, 

Susan E Burger, MHS, PhD, IBCLC

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