Medela BabyWeigh User manual

BabyWeigh, Supplemental Nursing System and SNS are trademarks and
Medela is a registrated trademark of Medela, Inc.
1907181 C 1109 ©2009 Medela, Inc.
Medela, Inc.
P.O. Box 660, 1101 Corporate Drive
McHenry, IL 60051-0660 USA
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
www.medela.com

BabyWeighTM scale
parents’ instructions

Congratulations on making
the decision to breastfeed your baby!
Research shows that mothers’ milk provides babies
with the ideal nutrition for growth and extra
protection from infection, allergies and some chronic
diseases. Sustaining breastfeeding requires
commitment on your part, but these efforts represent
an important contribution to your baby’s health.

Table of Contents
Why use the BabyWeighTM scale?....................................... 1
What if my baby needs additional milk temporarily? ........... 1
What is Test-Weighing?..................................................... 2
What is unique about the BabyWeigh scale? ..................... 3
Are there any safety precautions with Test-Weighing? ....... 4
How do I perform Test-Weights?....................................... 5
How should Test-Weights be recorded?............................ 6
How do I know if my baby needs additional milk?.............. 6
How long will I need to use the BabyWeigh scale? ............ 7
Additional questions about Test-Weighing ....................8-10
Closing comments........................................................... 10
Performing Test-Weights with the BabyWeigh scale ...11-12
Milk Intake Record Sample .........................................13-19

The BabyWeigh scale operates with
an electrical adapter or with 6 “C”
alkaline batteries.
Assembly of the BabyWeigh™scale
is easy. A single screw joins the tray
base to the digital display unit. For
easy cleaning, the top tray slides on
and off with a snap/release button.
snap/release button
electrical adapter input
For further information on the operation of the BabyWeigh scale,
see the operator’s manual.
Assembly of the
BabyWeighTM
scale

1
Why use the BabyWeigh
™
scale?
Your baby’s doctor, nurse, or lactation consultant has
recommended that you use the BabyWeigh scale to help you
with breastfeeding during the first days or
weeks that you are
home with your baby. The BabyWeigh scale
allows you to measure
the amount of milk your baby consumes during breastfeeding,
simply by weighing your baby on the scale before and after the
feeding. Use of the BabyWeigh scale will help you and your
pediatric care provider determine whether your baby needs
additional milk until your particular problem has been resolved.
What if my baby needs additional
milk temporarily?
When a breastfeeding baby receives additional milk, it is
known as a complement or supplement to breastfeeding. A
complement is the giving of extra milk during or immediately after
a breastfeeding. For example, you might use a Supplemental
Nursing System™(SNS™) to give extra milk during the feeding, or
an alternative feeding method to give extra milk right after
a feeding.

2
A supplement involves replacing a breastfeeding with milk
given by some other method. Commonly, a supplement is used
when the mother and baby are separated during a feeding time.
Use of the BabyWeigh scale will help you and your pediatric
care provider decide how much additional milk to use as a
complement or supplement to breastfeeding.
What is Test-Weighing?
Weighing infants before and after a breastfeeding to measure
the amount of milk consumed is known as “test-weighing.” The
“before” weight is subtracted from the “after” weight to determine
the amount of milk consumed. For test-weighing to work
accurately, a baby must be weighed in exactly the same clothing
and blankets before and after the breastfeeding, so that only the
milk intake is “different” between the two weights.
The BabyWeigh scale will display the difference between the
“before” and “after” weights in grams. A gram of weight gain
is approximately equal to 1 milliliter (ml) or 1 cubic centimeter
(cc) of milk intake. For example, if your baby weighs 2400 g
before the feeding and 2430 g after the feeding, the weight
gain between the “before” and “after” weights is 30 g, which
corresponds to 30 ml or 30 cc of milk intake.

3
What is unique about the
BabyWeigh
™
scale?
Research conducted with the BabyWeigh scale has shown that
parents can perform test-weights accurately for both term and
premature infants.
A special feature of the BabyWeigh scale is that it automatically
subtracts the “before” from the “after” weight, and displays this
calculation in an easy-to-read digital format. Additionally, the
scale is lightweight, portable, and easy to use.

4
Are there any safety precautions with
Test-Weighing?
You should place the BabyWeigh scale on a flat, stable surface
such as a kitchen table that is wider and longer than the scale.
The base of the scale should not extend over the flat surface of
the table, and the scale should not wobble or jiggle. Never leave
your baby unattended on the scale, even for an instant!
As a safeguard, you should place one hand just above, but not
resting on, your baby at all times when your baby is on the scale.
Then, if your baby should move or twist suddenly, you could
use your hand to steady your baby. Under no circumstances
should you ever place your baby on the scale and turn or
step away.

5
How do I perform Test-Weights?
Although performing test-weights may seem complicated at
first, you will find that the procedure becomes simple with a little
practice. In fact, it is a good idea to practice using the scale to
weigh an object, rather than your baby. Choose something such
as a large book(s) or a handbag that weighs approximately as
much as your baby, and practice completing “before” weights.
Then add a smaller item to the scale, which corresponds to
milk intake, and complete the “after” weight. After two or three
practices, you will probably feel comfortable weighing your baby
when it is time to breastfeed. The steps for test-weighing are
outlined on pages 11 and 12.
When you dress your baby for test-weights, be certain that
clothing is identical for the two weighings. Even a bootie, hat,
or a pacifier that is present for one procedure and not the other
will make test-weighing less accurate, because the BabyWeigh™
scale is so sensitive to small changes in weight. Remember
that the test-weights may be several hundred grams larger than
your baby’s routine (nude) weight, because of the clothing and
blankets your baby is wearing.

6
How should Test-Weights be
recorded?
All test-weights, complements, and supplements should be
recorded on a milk intake record. An example of a milk intake
record, which you may use for your baby, is included at the
end of this booklet. Depending on your individual breastfeeding
situation, your lactation consultant or your pediatric care
provider may give you a different form for recording milk intake.
Regardless of which form you use, your baby’s milk intake
record will be an important source of information as you and
your pediatric care provider or lactation consultant revise your
breastfeeding plan.
How do I know if my baby needs
additional milk?
By performing and recording test-weights for each
breastfeeding, you will gain an understanding of your baby’s
individual milk intake pattern during a 24-hour period. You
should ask your pediatric care provider how much milk (in mls or
ccs) your baby should receive in a 24-hour period.
Then, you and your care provider can review your baby’s
individual milk intake pattern and plan to provide complements
or supplements so your baby receives the daily intake that was
recommended by the pediatric care provider.

7
How long will I need to use the
BabyWeigh
™
scale?
The length of time that parents use the BabyWeigh scale will
vary with each breastfeeding situation.
In some instances, parents may need to use the BabyWeigh
scale for only a few days, and perhaps only for routine daily
weights, rather than for 24-hour test-weights. Parents whose
babies were premature will probably find that they want to keep
the scale until their baby’s expected date of birth has passed
and the baby demonstrates steady weight gain patterns on
complete breastfeeding.
You and your pediatric care provider and/or lactation consultant
should decide together when the scale is no longer needed. As
you gain experience with breastfeeding your baby, think about
your baby’s behaviors during breastfeedings in relation to the
test-weights. For example, in the first few days after hospital
discharge, premature babies sometimes fall asleep at the breast
before they have taken very much milk. As they mature, they
stay awake longer and tend to feed more steadily and eagerly,
taking larger volumes of milk. You can compare changes in your
baby’s breastfeeding behaviors to changes in test-weights and
begin to feel comfortable that you can judge the amount of milk
your baby consumes by noting these behaviors.

8
Gradually, your baby’s behaviors will replace the need to
test-weigh. During this process, counting wet diapers and
bowel movements, and noting changes in the fullness of your
breasts before and after breastfeeding, give you even more
information about your baby’s intake. Eventually you will become
comfortable using this less exact information about milk intake,
and you will no longer need the information that test-weighing
provides.
As a final step, you may wish to stop performing test-weights
and use the BabyWeigh scale to measure a routine (nude)
weight for your baby each day. After you have seen a steady
pattern of daily weight gain for several days and have reviewed
this pattern with your pediatric care provider, you should not
need to use the BabyWeigh scale any longer.
Additional questions about
Test-Weighing
What if my baby has a bowel movement
or urinates during breastfeeding?
For test-weighing to work properly, you should not change your
baby’s diaper between the “before” and “after” weights. The stool
or urine that was “inside” your baby for the “before” weight weighs
the same even if it is “outside” your baby for the “after” weight.

9
What if my baby spits up or drools milk
during a feeding?
If your baby spits up or drools milk during a feeding, you may
want to use a cloth diaper as a bib. Do not include the bib in
either the “before” or “after” weights, because the milk on the bib
was not actually consumed by your baby. Your baby’s
test-weight without the bib is the amount of milk that was
actually consumed.
How do I perform a routine daily weight for
my baby?
Your baby ’ s routine daily weight can be performed by removing all
your baby’s clothing, including the diaper. Press the “ON/ZERO”
button and wait until a “0” appears in the display. Put a blanket on
the scale. Press the “ON/ZERO” button again and wait until a “0”
appears in the display and you hear a beep. Then place the baby
on the scale. Wait until the display stops fluctuating. The displayed
value is the routine daily weight in grams, which can be converted
to pounds and ounces by sliding the “g/lb • oz” switch. It is a good
idea to perform daily weights before a feeding, and at approximately
the same time each day.
What is the purpose of the “REWEIGH” button?
The “REWEIGH” button allows you to recheck your baby’s
weight without removing your baby from the scale. Simply
depress the button, and the scale releases the previous weight
and automatically reweighs your baby.

10
Does the BabyWeigh scale require
any special care?
The scale should not be placed in bright sunlight, direct heat,
or near a sink where water might be splashed onto the scale.
Also, the BabyWeigh can be operated with an electrical adapter
or with six “C” alkaline batteries. When the batteries need to be
replaced, the display reads “LO.”
Closing comments
The BabyWeigh scale has been designed to contribute to your
breastfeeding experience by providing you with a measure of
your baby’s milk intake until your individual problem can be
resolved. We hope that you will find the BabyWeigh scale a source
of comfort and reassurance as you and your baby develop your
own special breastfeeding relationship!
This booklet was written by Dr. Paula Meier, RN, DNSc, FAAN. This information is
based on Dr. Meier’s research and clinical work with breastfeeding for premature
and high-risk babies.

11
Performing Test-Weights with the
BabyWeigh
™
scale
A. Check that the scale is on a flat surface and does not jiggle
or wobble. Use the level indicator on the scale to check your
flat surface.
B. Dress your baby in the clothes and/or blankets to be worn
for breastfeeding.
C. Press the “ON/ZERO” button , and wait until a “0” appears
in the digital display . The arrow light should point to “g,”
indicating the weight measurement in grams. If arrow lights to
“lb • oz,” change select switch on right side of scale to “g” .
D. Place your baby on the scale, holding one hand just above
your baby, and wait until the digital display stops fluctuating.
The “LOCK” arrow on the scale is activated, and you will
hear a beep. The value that appears in the digital display is
your baby’s “before” weight.
E. While the “before” weight is displayed, press the “WEIGHT
ENTRY” button to program the “before” weight into the
scale’s memory.
F. Remove your baby from the scale and then record the
“before” weight. Do not turn off the scale while you are
breastfeeding.
G. After breastfeeding*, press the “ON/ZERO” button and wait
until a “0” appears in the digital display.
H. Place your baby on the scale and wait until the digital display
stops fluctuating. The value in the digital display is the “after”
weight.
* If giving complement just after breastfeeding the baby, conduct the “After Weight” before giving complement.
5
3
4
1
2
2
1

12
I. Remove the baby from the scale, press and hold the
“WEIGHT GAIN” button and the scale will calculate milk
intake (in milliliters or cubic centimeters). This value will
appear in the digital display.
J. When you remove your finger from the “WEIGHT GAIN”
button, your baby’s “after” weight will reappear in the
digital display.
K. Record the “after” weight and the weight gain on your milk
intake form.
6
2
4
3
56
1

13
Milk Intake Record Sample
Baby’s Name
1Complement/Supplement given to baby while breastfeeding by using a product such as Medela’s Supplemental Nursing System (SNS). 2If giving complement just after breastfeeding the baby, conduct the “After Weight” before giving complement. 3Total intake = Weight Gain + Complement/Supplement not at breast.
Date Time Before Weight
(in grams)
After Weight
(in grams)
Weight Gain
(in grams)
Complement/
Supplement
at breast1
(in ml or cc)
Complement/
Supplement
not at breast2
(in ml or cc)
Total intake3
(in ml or cc) Remarks
4-21 6:05 am
2480 2510 30 0 0 30 Awake, fed in 20 minutes.
4-21 8:13 am
2500 2515 15 0 0 15 Fussy, then fell
asleep at breast.
4-21 11:00 am
2500 2550 50 30 0 50 gave 30 ml through SNS
4-22 1:27 pm
2480 2505 25 0 0 25
4-22 5:00 pm
2450 2502 52 20 0 52 gave 20 ml through SNS
4-22 7:25 pm
2492 2529 37 0 0 37
4-22 10:05 pm
2476 2502 26 0 34 60 Dad gave 34 ml mother’s
milk after breast.
4-22 1:15 am
0 45 45 Dad fed mother’s milk.
4-22 4:00 am
2492 2529 37 0 0 37 Awake & fed eagerly.
24hrs
Totals 50ml 79ml 351ml 4-21 Total intake = 351ml

14
Date Time Before Weight
(in grams)
After Weight
(in grams)
Weight Gain
(in grams)
Complement/
Supplement
at breast1
(in ml or cc)
Complement/
Supplement
not at breast2
(in ml or cc)
Total intake3
(in ml or cc) Remarks
Milk Intake Record Sample
Baby’s Name
1Complement/Supplement given to baby while breastfeeding by using a product such as Medela’s Supplemental Nursing System (SNS). 2If giving complement just after breastfeeding the baby, conduct the “After Weight” before giving complement. 3Total intake = Weight Gain + Complement/Supplement not at breast.

15
Date Time Before Weight
(in grams)
After Weight
(in grams)
Weight Gain
(in grams)
Complement/
Supplement
at breast1
(in ml or cc)
Complement/
Supplement
not at breast2
(in ml or cc)
Total intake3
(in ml or cc) Remarks
Milk Intake Record Sample
Baby’s Name
1Complement/Supplement given to baby while breastfeeding by using a product such as Medela’s Supplemental Nursing System (SNS). 2If giving complement just after breastfeeding the baby, conduct the “After Weight” before giving complement. 3Total intake = Weight Gain + Complement/Supplement not at breast.