Hi All,
While I agree with Nancy, to a degree, about test weighs, there are times
when they can be very beneficial to the mother.
At the WIC I work at, our LC does occaisionally do test weighs.  The mothers
are told about them before hane, and I have yet to hear a mom complain or be
upset about the "test".  In fact, since the majority of the time we are
concerned about possible low milk supplies, the moms are often grateful to
have this option available.  Most of the time, if the baby does not get much
from a full BF, the mom is able to accept the fact that she has a low supply
and go ahead and feed the baby ABM rather than continue to starve the baby at
breast in a sad case of denial.  THen she is more prepared to do the
neccessary work to increase her supply.
We have had cases where baby looks like he is sucking and swallowing and all
is going well, only to find through the test weigh that baby got barely half
an oz in 30 minutes of BF.
I think that if presented right, the test weigh should not be a "test" to be
afraid of, but a test to be used as a helpful tool to both mom and LC.  And
if presented right, the mom should be able to relax and have a good letdown
and a good BF.  Of course, there are those who have "test" anxiety regardless
of the importance or lack of importance of the test.
Relying on eyes and ears is an important tool for us all to perfect, but we
must remeber that there are those babies that are good at fooling even the
best of us!
Jay, CLE