Infant Scale - Rental vs. Purchasing

allisonud · June 2012

I have been struggling with issues BF for the last 10 weeks, but I have made a lot of progress and would love to be able to stop supplementing with formula, but I am having a lot of anxiety because of what happened early on (my baby went from 7 lbs 11 oz to 6 lbs 5 oz in the week after he was born because he was not getting much milk at all)!! I would feel better knowing how much milk he is getting. The wet/dirty diaper count doesn't really make me feel better, because he still managing to have a lot of wet diapers before and was losing so much weight.

So....I contacted the women's center at the hospital where I delivered because you can rent an infant scale there and I thought that would make me feel better, but the cost is $45/month (can only rent it by the month). When I did a quick check online, there seem to be scales on Amazon that cost just a little more than that, so why rent, I should just buy so I can use it longer and maybe with the next baby it will come in handy.

Any recommendations on which scale to purchase? Can I buy an infant scale at any local store so I don't have to wait the shipping time? Target? A pharmacy or medical equipment store??

skibunny59 · June 2012

I've had similar struggles with DD gaining weight. Like your LO, DD had plenty of wet and dirty diapers even though she wasn't gaining any weight. DD gets about 8 oz of formula supplement a day and I am slowly trying to wean her off.

My parents bought me a baby scale from Baby Depot at Burlington Coat Factory. It was only about $40. It's not the best but it gives me an idea. It's the American Red Cross baby scale.

Also, you can just pay attention to your baby's mood. Before we started supplementing, my LO was super cranky and crying all the time. Then we went to the pedi and found that she only gained one ounce in ten days. The poor thing was cranky because she was hungry! Now that I'm trying to cut back on the supplement, I pay attention and notice if she still seems super hungry after a feeding.

Another thing you could do is talk to your pedi about bringing your LO in more frequently for weight checks.

GL!

DGandDG · June 2012

I just looked on my local craigslist and found 2, one for $25 and another for $40. Maybe check there or your local classifieds.

nicole0066 · June 2012

We had issues bfing at first so we did weighted feeds. We bought a scale off Amazon for $60. It rounds to the nearest half ounce so there is some wiggle room. I would have a hard time renting for that much, but if you need something more accurate it might be worth it.

alliapistor · June 2012

I think I paid $60 for mine off of Amazon and it was money well spent. It's accurate down to 0.5 oz. You might be able to get one slightly more accurate from the doctor, but really 0.5 oz. should be close enough.

The top comes off and it can be used for children up to 45 lbs. later.

https://www.amazon.com/Salter-Electronic-Baby-Toddler-Scale/dp/B00009KX5U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1339092524&sr=8-2

nicole0066 · June 2012

alliapistor:
I think I paid $60 for mine off of Amazon and it was money well spent. It's accurate down to 0.5 oz. You might be able to get one slightly more accurate from the doctor, but really 0.5 oz. should be close enough.

The top comes off and it can be used for children up to 45 lbs. later.

https://www.amazon.com/Salter-Electronic-Baby-Toddler-Scale/dp/B00009KX5U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1339092524&sr=8-2

This is the same one we got too.

pitterpatter129 · June 2012

We bought a scale when LO was small because of weight gain issues. I like the one we got because it converts into a normal platform scale that can be used with a toddler. It made me feel like we weren't wasting money and we still use it. I agree you don't want to get in a habit of weighing all the time (you'll drive yourself nuts!), but it was nice to have for occasional weight checks at home between doctor's visits.

I *think* this is the one we have, if not it is close.

https://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=baby/toddler+scale&hl=en&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1280&bih=603&wrapid=tlif133912170648510&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=5529967089578414915&sa=X&ei=F2_RT-imMMWe2AWcifmkDw&ved=0CJoBEOUNMAA

kkfeb04 · June 2012

AmyG*:
I think buying or renting a scale is a bit much and not really necessary --it honestly leads to more second guessing your supply. It feeds into Obsessive Compulsive checking of how much baby got at this feeding, did they get eough, is there a problem going on.

Most moms do well with a pre and post nursing weigh in a couple of times. only. weighing constantly gives you inaccurate numbers, early in the day baby weighs less, later in the day baby weighs more, today baby weighs 1/2-1 oz less than yesterday, should I worry about it? baby didn't nurse as long today but got more milk, but yesterday they barely nursed and got more milk, what is going on?

I vote a couple visits to an IBCLC lactation consultant or your peds office for pre and post nursing session weigh ins to make sure you are on track and then forget about the individual weight of feeds. really.

Everything Amy said. My MIL had a baby scale with her three boys. She stated she called her MIL and mom every single day to give them updates because she was so proud when they gained .5 lbs in a day (they were FF, since BF is gross). Whenever she calls she constantly asks what do they weigh. I told her for over 2 years that it doesn't matter what they weigh, they only get weighed at the doctor and it isn't her concern. I also told her that my children will not feed into her unhealthy obsession. She watches her oldest grandson and makes him stand on the scale when she arrives and when she leaves. It is quite disgusting. I tell her they are perfect at the weight they are and that the Pedi isn't concerned. She is extremely passive-aggressive and always tells me not to be concerned, I'm jot. She also thinks they should double their birthweight by 3 months and triple by six months since that's what her kids did. She equates short and chubby babies to healthy. We have not told her DD's stats since she would have a fit since she was only 10th lbs 2 oz at 2 months old, she would call CPS on me since it only looked like she gained one pb in 2 months, she was 23.75" long at that time. DS was 24.5" tall and 12 lbs at the same age. I tell her that I was a tall skinny kid and they take after me. DS will not triple before he is 3. I've heard the words malnourished, underfed, poisoning come out of her mouth at least once a month since DS was 6 weeks old. I detest my MIL and 95% of the reason is related to her obsession with weight. I remind her during every phone call why she isn't told, DH has talked to her on numerous occasions and it doesn't help. Now I just avoid her, she doesn't see them because I can't handle the stress she brings. So please think of your grandchildren and don't get the scale. Yes, DH fully expects her to buy a scale before Christmas. ETA: She thinks BFing is gross, I BF DS until 9 months, he had the freezer stash until 11.5 months, goal with DD is over a year.

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Infant Scale - Rental vs. Purchasing

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