Infant Scales

From LoveToKnow Baby

Purchasing infant scales for your newborn baby may sound extravagant, but there are some compelling reasons for doing so. Although you'll schedule well-care visits for your infant, it is good to be able to document your baby's weight for the first few weeks of her life. Professional scales can be very pricey, however, so what are your options?

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Why Purchase an Infant Scale?

Many pediatricians won't have you schedule your first doctor's appointment until your baby is around two weeks of age. While this time can pass by quickly, a lot can happen in those two weeks of waiting. If your baby isn't gaining weight or there appears to be a problem with her feeding, you may need to see your pediatrician much sooner than the scheduled visit. Using a baby scale can help you pick up on any problems regarding your baby's weight gain that might occur.

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Types of Baby Scales

When your baby was born, the doctor and nurses immediately checked her out, and this included her weight. They probably had an infant scale right in your delivery room. These are typically the same type of scales that are used in a pediatrician's office. They are quite accurate, but they can also be very expensive. These professional scales aren't commonly purchased for home use. The at-home baby scales of today, though, are quite advanced from the scales that were used when you were a child. Obviously, you will see a great variety in pricing, and you will probably get what you pay for, but be sure to comparison shop, read consumer reports, and ask other parents and even your doctor for advice.

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Professional Scales

If you are willing and able to shell out some major bucks for infant scales, then there are several brands available. The difference between one brand of infant scale and another can be a matter of a fraction of an ounce.

Tanita Professional Infant Scales- The Tanita series of infant scales can provide an accurate measurement of how much milk your baby is actually getting. This works for both breastfeeding and bottle feeding babies. The weight capacity of this infant scale is 24 lbs. Because this baby scale is considered top of the line and is used by neonatologists, hospitals, and pediatricians' offices, Tanata prohibits their dealers from publishing their prices online. Visit Tanita for more information.
Seca Digital Baby Scales are designed to detect the smallest weight difference in newborns. These can set you back from under $300 to over $1300.
Detecto-These scales range in price from around $150 to $700.

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Affordable Scales For Your Baby

Since the average family can't afford to pay hundreds of dollars for a scale, there are several other accurate and affordable products to choose from.

Seca Digital Diaper Scale-This scale measures urine or fecal output in a diaper and will keep track of your baby's output and can track everything in your child's diaper down to two grams. It's easy to clean and store, and it costs around $100.
My Weigh Digital Infant Scale-This scale's weight capacity is up to 44 lbs, and it costs around $90.
Salter Digital Baby Scale-This scale's weight capacity is also up to 44 lbs, and it costs approximately $90.
Detecto Baby Scales-There are several Detecto brand scales that are great for home use. You can purchase one of these from $100 and up.

Finally, don't forget to check out websites, such as [www.ebay.com Ebay] for some great bargains.

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