Heather in UK,
Scales has been discussed at length here on Lactnet, so I will be brief.  A 
scale is one of the tools I would not want to be without.  I find it gives 
me very valuable information, and I have NEVER had it "backfire" or make the 
parents more upset or tense.  Quite the opposite, they are always so happy 
to have that tool as a one time thing with my consult.  Just a few examples:
1.  Like Diane said, with OALR- To see at what point the baby freaks out- I 
had one case where at the freak-out point the baby had taken in a whole 
feed-  I think it was about 4 minutes- And that mother would never have 
believed that that was *it* unless she saw those numbers.  Or the opposite, 
weighing gulps- and finding out it was a small amount and alot of choking.
2.  Sometimes those moms who you tell to offer 3 and 4 sides, when they see 
they are really eating more each time, and not just hanging out.  I can show 
them the difference in suck, swallowing, etc but it *clicks* when they see 
it on the scale.
3. Premies- it is crucial.  I would not trust my clinical judgment here at 
all- I have been fooled both ways with these little ones.
4.  Just making a mother feel really good.  When we stick that baby on the 
scale, when they see those numbers, they get the biggest smile and are so 
proud.
 I have never had it that it did the opposite, because usually we have 
discussed all the signs of good feedings, and by this point they know there 
is a problem.
5. Here is Israel, sometimes these moms are not weighing a baby until 4 
weeks after birth!  I certainly want to know how they are doing, besides 
looking good.  I need to then go back to the doctor with a concrete weight, 
x over or under discharge weight, not just he looks good.
I guess I kind of feel like we live in a modernized society, this is what 
the new mothers I work with are used to, and this is what talks their 
language.  Maybe it is also a generational gap type of thing also?  I am 
also younger than most LC's (I think!) at 33.  Who knows.
Jessica Billowitz, IBCLC
Israel 

             ***********************************************

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 email list is powered by LISTSERV (R).
There is only one LISTSERV. To learn more, visit:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html