>  > Subject: Re: LCs and test weights
>>
>>  Karen G. posted some refs on TW with pre-term infants.
>>
>>
>>  None of these papers finds any clinical benefit of test weighing,
>>  which is what we are really looking for.
>>
>
>
>I'd caution relying on abstracts vs. careful reading of an entire 
>research report.


Totally agree, Karen - I made a point of saying I was judging the 
abstracts only.

Neverthless, it was clear to me  from the abstracts that the studies 
were not looking for clinical benefits to test weighing - they were 
looking for other, no doubt worthy, aspects:  what mothers felt about 
test weighing when it was done by themselves, and whether they could 
do it accurately with the right equipment. What mothers 'feel' about 
test weighing is an excellent thing to study, but we cannot say, 
without further study, if it has clinical significance or not, in 
terms of breastfeeding success.
>
>When dealing with a transition to full breastfeeding for higher-risk 
>infants, a situation some test-weight "scoffers" admit they rarely 
>-- if ever -- deal with, maternal confidence is often a key 
>component.


I can see  that weighing might well boost a mother's confidence that 
she *is*,  despite her misgivings, helping her baby to grow well; 
that is almost certainly a good thing for long-lasting breastfeeding, 
and probably all of us in Western societies find confidence-boosting 
is part of the job.

You might wonder if TW is more, or less, convincing to her than other 
confidence-boosters, like overall weight gain over a week or more, or 
behaviours the practitioner can point out.

I don't know, and nor can anyone else know, I suspect, because we 
don't have the data. In some contexts, maybe, TW could actually 
hinder a mother from getting away from the micro-management we know 
is inimicable to bf....I don't know, and I am still wondering!

>I feel that at times there has seemed to be a tone to the discussion 
>that has come across as disrespectful or dismissive or untrusting of 
>respected colleagues clinical judgements. That has bothered me...


Karen, I am sorry if I appeared brusque in my last post....I should 
have been more discursive.

It's  maybe not a good idea to call people like me 'scoffers' either :)))

I am not 'scoffing' - I am asking questions, seriously and respectfully.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT brc, tutor, UK

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