Measuring the growth of children, especially during the first few years, is an important part of monitoring a child’s health. By regularly measuring a child’s growth, it can help to detect overweight and underweight, as well as faltering growth that is potentially due to underlying medical problems.
When measurements are normal, they can provide reassurance that all is well with the child.
Besides length or height and head circumference, the baby’s weight is one of the key indicators of a normal growth.
Weighing a baby is a routine part of care, especially within the first few weeks and months, and the baby’s weight is usually plotted on a chart. This allows the doctor or the Maternal and Child Health nurse to see if the growth is within the normal range, ensuring that the baby is getting sufficient nutrients and gaining weight as expected. Any unusual measurements may suggest an illness or other problems, which would prompt investigations and treatment, if necessary.
With baby weighing playing such an important role in monitoring the child’s health, it is essential for medical professionals to use only accurate and precise baby weighing scales. Some features to look for when choosing a baby scale include:
Ergonomic design
Baby scales should be specifically designed for the child’s safety and comfort. They should come with a curved shape to allow the baby to lay securely and comfortably, with clear displays to provide a quick read.
Robust and durable
The scale should weigh up to 20kg, to be able to support children up to 2 years of age. It should also be robust enough to resist wear and tear and damage over the course of its lifetime.
Lightweight and portable
A baby scale that is lightweight and battery-operated will be ideal for midwives who do home visits. They are also a great option for medical clinics and hospitals, as well as doctors and nurses working in remote locations.
Easy to clean surface
It is hard to predict when a baby would do a wee or poo, or spit up milk. Go for a sturdy scale that can be easily wiped down, to ensure it is always hygienic for the next use. Avoid scales with nooks and crannies or fabric pads that cannot be easily washed.
Babies cannot tell you when they are about to be sick, or do a wee or poo, so being able to wipe these substances off the scales is essential to keep the baby scales hygienic for the next baby to use.
Tare
A tare function allows the scale to remove the weight of other objects on the scale, such as blankets, nappies, or a toy that the baby is holding. It allows for a more accurate reading on the baby’s weight.
Movement compensation technology
One of the challenges in weighing babies is getting them to stay still. A scale with movement compensation technology will be able to stop the baby’s movements from interfering with the weight, giving you a precise and accurate reading.
At Anyscales, we understand the importance of having a high quality equipment. The newly designed Healthweigh Neonatal Scale features advanced technology for precision weighing of newborn and growing babies. Shekel advanced technology is so precise, that these scales are integrated into warmers and incubators.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about this Neonatal Scale.
