Myself and other LCs I know in the USA use test weights ONLY IN PROBLEM SITUATIONS. This is not a routine practice and should not ever be used, in my opinion, for the "normal" or "usual" breastfeeding dyad. Once a problem presents itself, like large weight loss, poor weight gain, for example, a test weight might be used to determine intake at a feed. The LCs I know realize that said feed is only a "snapshot" and may or may not represent a typical feed, and that feeds vary so there is really no absolutely "typical" feed. An example cited recently on lactnet was a probable oversupply case, where it was mentioned the LC has seen a baby consume 4 or 5 oz in 5 min. Another example, would be a premature infant getting close to discharge home to see if he is really transferring much milk, or to determine how much, if any, complement needs to be given after a breastfeed. I have used a test weight once to show a nurse that a baby was not transferring milk. This was a preterm infant about to go home, I was recommending pumping and alternate feeding in addition to the at breast feeding, and the nurse felt I was undermining the mom's confidence. The baby had lost more weight than I thought appropriate, was jaundiced, and I saw no to very little swallows. The milk transfer was 2cc. I have also used the test weight to show a mother with breast reduction surgery that the baby needed additional milk. This baby had gone home, was losing weight (about a 4lb baby to start with) and mother beleived he was doing well. Pediatrician was not going to see the baby again til 2 mos old. I had advised breastfeeding plus alternate feeding but mom really wanted to give baby the breast only. I was following them carefully and of course encouraging the breastfeeding but with alternate feeding and additional milk. Of course we were working on maximizing her milk production as well. I was really scared for this baby. The test weight demonstrated to the mother that the swallows were not amounting to much milk at all. This is not a fun consult and I do not like these situations, but I believed the baby would be in danger otherwise. Laurie Wheeler, IBCLC, MN, RN Mississippi, s.e. USA *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html