Do Breastfeeding Right With a Baby Scale？
Becoming a parent is one of the most rewarding experiences anyone could ever ask for. The journey comes with a myriad of emotions, from joy and wonder to anxiousness and impatience. Whatever you, as a mom or dad, are dealing with at the moment, nothing beats how lucky you feel as you hold your baby close.
If you want to do this parenting thing right, all you have to do is be there. Be aware that this little being depends on you for everything. This body is fragile yet strong at the same time.
The Choice to Breastfeed
Whether you choose to breastfeed or go with formula, that decision is entirely yours. By now, you’ve read up on the pros and cons of each. You should have also looked at your circumstances and figured out if you can fit either with your lifestyle. At the end of the day, it’s crucial to block out biased opinions and the words of critical people around you.
Breastfeeding isn’t easy, but it’s definitely worthwhile. It’s a chance to bond with your baby and provide nourishment from inside and out. The act is exhausting and will seem never-ending at times. You’ll also have to manage your time right, especially if you’re a working woman. Workplace support for nursing mothers has come a long way, but it’s still a far cry from perfect.
In addition to the barriers breastfeeding moms might face, there’s also the worry that babies don’t feed enough, especially with direct latching. Breasts, as wonderful as they are, don’t come with little measuring cups.
How Weighted Feeding Works
So what do you do to alleviate the worry about your kid’s weight gain? How can you tell if your baby’s cries are due to hunger or some other reason? Unfortunately, pediatric visits aren’t as frequent as we’d like them to be. Parents are also inundated by graphs and milestones, which don’t contribute any sense of calm to nervous types.
Thankfully, there’s an affordable solution out there. Weighted feeding involves putting a baby on a sensitive scale before and after feeds to determine how much milk is ingested. Typical home scales don’t work as well, as they aren’t accurate enough. Plus, it isn’t easy placing your baby on them.
Breastfeeding mothers don’t produce the same amount of milk at each feed, so it’s important to weigh babies a few times a day. This will give parents a clearer picture of how their little one is growing.
Reasons to Monitor Baby Weight
Why is it important to know how much your baby weighs? Aside from knowing whether your newborn is hitting all its weight milestones, you’ll also find out whether you’re feeding correctly or not. Direct latching can be challenging, and you’ll want to ensure that your kid is getting that good hindmilk that’s full of healthy fat.
Weight gain is the most important indicator that a baby is developing well. While you can look at the number of wet and soiled diapers, you’ll get a clearer view on growth by monitoring your child’s weight.
Many mothers worry about their abilities to produce enough breastmilk for their babies. By performing regular weight checks, a mom will be able to alleviate some of the stress that comes from bringing a new life into the world. When she’s relaxed, she’ll be able to focus on the wonders of motherhood and the joys that it brings.
What to Look for in a Baby Scale
With the countless choices in the market, how do you pick the right baby scale for weighted feeds? Here are some things to look out for:
Trusted and Approved
Make sure your scale comes with a stamp of approval from medical authorities.
Robust and Durable
A baby scale needs to be able to withstand regular use.
Light and Mobile
Chances are, you’ll be weighing your baby in different rooms around the house, so make sure it’s battery operated and not too heavy.
Accurate
When you’re weighing babies to gauge if they’re eating well, go for a scale with 10-gram graduations for more accurate measurements.
Tare and Hold Functions
The tare function allows you to easily calculate a baby’s weight to account for extras like a nappy or blanket, whereas the hold button will solve the problem of moving babies.
Easy-to-Clean Surfaces
Ensure your scale is easily wiped clean to reduce the spread of disease.
Every Baby Is Different
While graphs and development milestones are helpful as guidelines, it’s essential to note that all babies are different. They grow at their own pace. Some kids are big as babies, while others start off small and pick up later.
Don’t focus too much on numbers. Mothers have a natural instinct when it comes to caring for their little ones. A child with a small build isn’t necessarily unhealthy, and it’s vital for parents to know that.
