I always refer to "test weighing" as pre- and post-feed weights when I
discuss them with professionals.

It saddens me to see so many premature infants fed bottles so the
doctors and nurses know how much they are taking.  Pre- and post-feed
weights can, I think, help them to see that these babies can and should
be put to breast and supplements given by an appropriate method only
when necessary.

Paula Meier found that mothers who had become accustomed to NICU
routines supplemented less when they had accurate electronic scales and
could tell whether or not the baby needed them.  Otherwise, they just
supplemented to be sure the baby was getting enough.  She also found
that use of clinical measures of adequate milk intake were inaccurate
whether used by nurses or mothers (although the mother's estimate
closely resembled the nurse's).

Bonnie Jones, RN, ICCE, IBCLC
from the sunny S.W. USA