Theresa's story really points out why weight should be ONE thing
that's looked at, not the "be all and end all" in assessing how an
infant is doing.  My problem with comparing to birth weights is not
only how much extra fluid baby may have on board secondary to mom's
IVs.  Another factor is when the initial and follow-up wieghts are
done in regards to baby's poops and pees (OK, stools and voids if
you prefer).  Let's assume a hypothetical set of twins, A and B who
are identical in every way including actual body weight.  After
birth Twin A is weighed immediately and shortly after puts out a big
void and a large amount of meconium.  Twin B does the same before he
is weighed.  Now they 2 have different birth weights.  Both nurse
the same and take the same amounts of colostrum over the next 24
hours.  Then the next day, Twin A is weighed right after he voids
and stools and Twin B is weighed just before he voids and stools.
Therefore, A has had 2 more voids and stools than B between the
weights.  On paper it would look like Twin A has lost more that Twin
B and the assumption will probably be made that B is doing better
and is a better nurser!
I have said it before, but I really think the initial weight (if it
must be done right after birth) is only to give the nurse something
to put in the computer so the birth record can be printed out (as is
the case where I work) and also for the grandparents who seem to be
the most interested in the birth weight.  The weight at 24 hours
would be a more reliable baseline for future reference.  (Of course,
with tiny premies or with other medical concerns, what happens to
weight in the first 24 hours may be more significant.)
I think giving over emphasis on weight is right up there with giving
a bottle.  It's so much quicker to have a measurable number to
assess than to look for the not-so-blatently-obvious indicators that
really tell how a baby is adjusting to it's new "lifestyle".

Winnie

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