Pat:
As one who does use weights at times, I have to take exception to
your assumption that those who do "may be newer LC's"  I was in the
first group to sit the IBCLC exam and have worked with nursing moms
for over 30 years.  Admittedly, it's only been in the last 10-15 in
a hospital setting with such equipment available.  Yes, there are
things we can watch for to determine what an infant is taking in,
but we may not always be accurate.  I believe it was Paula Meier
(someone correct me if I'm wrong) who showed in a study that
estimating intake by an observer is not that accurate.  I have had
occasions when I observed good deep jaw excursions with pauses at
the depth of the suck and audible swallows but was be amazed when
the post feed weight showed little or no actual intake.  The fact
that the infant was not satisfied caused me to look further than my
observations.
Again certainly very frequent weights and regular use of pre/post
feed weights are usually "overkill" but used judiciously they do
have a place.
Winnie Mading RNC, IBCLC

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