Increasing numbers of new mothers and medical professionals agree that breastfeeding is the best way to get babies off to a healthy start. But when a baby arrives early or has medical problems, circumstances may interfere with the commitment to start or continue breastfeeding.

After leaving the hospital, a mother must rely on cues such as sucking patterns, number of wet diapers, changes in breast fullness and signs of satisfaction to determine whether her baby is consuming enough breast milk.

In some cases, such as babies born prematurely or with medical problems, health care professionals recommend test-weighing to accurately measure milk intake. To help mothers test-weigh their babies, Medela developed an electronic scale called the BabyWeigh™ Scale. The scale was tested for accuracy by a panel of medical experts and the results of the study appeared in the medical magazine, Journal of Human Lacatation.

The BabyWeigh is a small, portable infant scale that can be operated electronically by a standard wall outlet or by battery. When an infant is weighed before and after nursing, the scale automatically calculates the volume of milk intake from pre-and post-nursing weights. Because it is very user friendly, the scale is an attractive option for home use, especially when used temporarily by a mother whose child's health care provider recommends it.

The Results

The study, conducted by Dr. Paula Meier, compared how mothers and health care professionals measured breast milk intake based on typical cues versus test-weighing. The Medela BabyWeigh Scale was found to provide an accurate estimate of breast milk intake. However, when the results of the milk intake estimates based on typical cues were compared, both groups were found to estimate milk intake similarly, but incorrectly.

What the Results Mean for Nursing Mothers

Many mothers of high-risk or premature infants have experienced difficulty breastfeeding their infants after leaving the hospital. Since little is known about the intake patterns of these infants after they leave the hospital, health care providers have simply made the same recommendations for breastfeeding high-risk or premature infants that they would make for healthy, full-term infants. With the BabyWeigh Scale, specific care plans can be developed to meet the baby's particular intake needs.

How Does the BabyWeigh Scale Fit In?

Because the BabyWeigh provides an accurate estimate of breast milk consumption and is easy to use, it is a valuable tool for mothers and health care providers during the baby's first few days at home. The BabyWeigh Scale can be rented for home use, so weight monitoring can be continued even after the baby leaves the hospital.

Baby Lactation Services is the exclusive Tri-Cities reseller for the Baby Weigh Scale, which can be be rented for home use.