I could not resist your post and here I am, replying. :-)
I used to be pretty much against  test weighting because I found that it
was bad for mothers: it made them anxious.
Later, however, I have been convinced by a case study published in the
book "Case Studies in Breastfeeding" by K. Cadwell and C. Turner-MAffei
that test weighting is just a tool and, as such, can be used wisely or
badly.
They reported of a child who was not gaining well even if everything
seemed all right at the consultation with the LCs.
The parents were sent home with a scale and instructed to do test
weighting for all the weekend.
In just less then a day they discovered the problem: the baby was
transferring milk efficiently when the mother was in an upright
position, but he transferred almost no milk when the mother was ling
down, and she was doing that most of the feedings.
As you can see, when you know how to use it, it can be helpful.... :-)

I do not want to be polemic, I understand well your point: rather than
badly used, it is better not used.
And most people (even around here) are not really aware of how to use
test weighting in a useful way....

Micaela
LLL, Italy

Ingrid Tilstra ha scritto:
> This issue keeps coming up in my community, where the public breastfeeding centre does test weighs as a matter of course, often before finding out why a mom is there (have seen this with my own eyes).  Therefore, triggering a rant from me is pretty easy, and you did specifically mention that the scale should be sensitive enough for that purpose.
>
> Hopefully you didn't take it personally; I'd happily rant at anyone that does isolated test weighing (and even not isolated - it's usually pretty clear if a baby isn't getting enough milk, so what's the point of all that weighing, and starting with the assumption that it's the mother's 'fault' - not making enough milk - is pretty much guaranteed to end breastfeeding.)
>
> And doctors too need some education about the actual value (none) of isolated pre-post test weighing.
>
> Ingrid
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lactation Information and Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lea Rivera Todaro
> Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2010 10:39 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Recommendation for a Scale
>
> Ingrid,
> The scale is generally not going to be used for pre-post feed weights, but I want a scale that is sensitive enough to do so if a doctor requests it.  I appreciate your opinion and agree with you that pre-post weights are not always useful - in fact in 3 years I have never done one.   More important to me is a good portable scale so that I no longer have to walk to the complete other side of the building to weigh a baby with any accuracy.
>
> Thank you.
> Lea

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