Infant Malnutrition (FTT) — Pre- and Post-weights — Clinical Pathway: Inpatient

Infant Malnutrition/Failure to Thrive (FTT) Clinical Pathway — Inpatient

Pre- and Post-weights

Pre- and post-weights are performed to determine the infant’s intake at breast.

  • For patients > 5 days old
  • Caregivers can conduct pre- and post-weights after instruction and observation from Nursing or Lactation.

Consider following the steps below in order:

1. Obtain Scale Obtain, clean and zero a Medela BabyWeigh™ scale. If not available, use an electronic infant scale.
2. Dress Patient Dress patient in clothes, diaper and blankets to be worn for breastfeeding.
3. Monitors and Tubing
  • If being monitored:
    • Disconnect pulse ox and monitors and place leads on top of scale with patient for pre- and post-weights
  • Lay any tubing that cannot be disconnected next to the baby on the scale
  • Avoid holding up any leads or tubing, which can cause inaccurate weights
4. Pre-feeding Weight Record pre-feeding weight (not in Epic; for comparison to post-feeding weight).
5. Breastfeed Have mother directly breastfeed after pre-feeding weight is obtained.
6. Post-feeding Weight Obtain post-feeding weight with identical patient conditions to pre-weight (e.g., pacifiers, blankets, tubing, clothing). Do not change diaper before obtaining post-feeding weight.
7. Calculate Subtract pre-feeding weight from post-feeding weight. 1 gram weight = 1 ml milk transfer
8. Document Document milk transfer in EPIC flowsheet (not pre- and post-weights) as enteral intake for feeding.

Reference Nursing Procedure for more information: Determining Milk Transfer for Direct Breastfeeding with Pre- and Post-Weights 2:10:e