Seconding Pat Y, Magda and Gina here.  Pre and post-feed weighing is a tool
that is basically NEVER useful in a casual contact at a drop in center. 
Would you offer do-it-yourself electrocardiograms at the same site? 
Cervical biopsies?  My point is, someone with advanced skills should be
involved in decisions to weigh babies at all, and certainly in decisions to
weigh before and after breastfeeding, which is a complicated and difficult
diagnostic tool.  The most important part of the process is determining
whether anything is to be gained by such a weighing.  The next most
important part is determining what that is, and making sure there is not
something equally important that could be harmed by it.  Finally, carrying
out the test and interpreting the results require high-level skills of
several kinds, and wise judgment of the kind that only comes with a lot of
experience.  Luckily, it is hardly ever needed, but it would be even better
if the test were only used when all the prerequisites for its SAFE use, were
present.

If any of you believe that pre- and post-feed weighing should be a routine
part of every encounter with a breastfeeding mother and child, I suggest
your new year's resolution should be to improve your history-taking and
observational skills so you will be better able to contribute to the
empowerment of the mothers you see.  

Gina, the midwife in me rejoiced on reading your post.  This is the kind of
midwifery the world, and especially the US, needs.

Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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