Guide to Choose The Best Baby Scales Online

08/17/2022
baby scale

When it comes to babies' health, you want to be sure that you are taking all the necessary actions. One way to do this is by monitoring their weight. A baby scale can help you do just that. This buying guide will discuss the different features to look for when purchasing a baby scale and some types. We will also provide a few tips on how to use a baby scale effectively.

What is a Baby Scale?

Also known as an infant or toddler scale, a baby scale is a weighing scale specifically designed for babies and young children. Baby scales are typically smaller than standard scales and often have special features such as a built-in height chart or conversion tool. Baby scales are used to track a child's growth and development, which can be beneficial for parents concerned about their child's health.

Many baby scales come equipped with a wipe-clean surface, making it easy to keep clean, even with a wriggling baby. Many also have a tare function, which allows you to account for the weight of blankets or clothes. When choosing a baby scale, look for one that is Class III approved, which means it has been tested for accuracy. Lastly, many baby scales also feature a hold function, which allows you to take precise readings even when the baby is wriggling around on it.

Application

Monitoring a baby's weight is crucial to their health and growth, and scales can provide valuable information for doctors and parents. In maternity wards, baby scales track a newborn's progress and ensure they gain weight appropriately. At home, parents can use scales to keep an eye on their baby's growth and ensure they are meeting all their milestones. Scales can also be a valuable tool for detecting early signs of illness, so it is essential to have one on hand at all times.

The Types of Baby Scales

The 2 significant types of baby scales are

Mechanical scale

A mechanical baby is a scale that uses a slider mechanism and a weighted beam to measure the child's weight. The parent or caregiver places the child on the platform and uses the weight bar to measure the child's weight.

Mechanical baby scales are best suited for ideal for remote clinics and homes as no electricity is required to power them. They are also more affordable than their digital counterparts. They are also a bit more accurate than digital scales as they are less affected by the baby's squirming.

The main downside of mechanical scales is that they can be pretty significant and cumbersome. Therefore, they are most suited for use in hospitals.

Digital Scale

Digital scales are another type of scale that can be used to weigh infants and young children. Unlike mechanical scales, digital scales use sensors to determine a child's weight. These sensors are usually located under the platform of the scale. To use a digital scale, the parent or caregiver places the child on the platform and waits for the sensor to register the child's weight and display it on a screen.

Although digital scales are straightforward to use and, these days, just a bit more expensive than their mechanical counterparts, they may require batteries or an electrical outlet to operate, thus making them less ideal for use in remote areas.

When and How Often Can the Baby Scale Be Used?

When you weigh your baby at home (or when the health visitor does it), consider feeding times.

You should always try to weigh your baby at the same time of day, either right before or right after a feed. This will give you a better idea of how they've grown.

A midwife or health visitor will usually weigh babies at birth and, after that, regularly.

While you may wish to weigh your baby frequently - say, once a week - keep in mind that a baby's weight can be significantly changed by eating, particularly in the initial weeks. Once a month is the suggested frequency for babies up to six months old, or once every two weeks if you want to observe more frequent readings.

Every two months should be sufficient for babies aged six to twelve months.

Every three months should suffice for babies above the age of 12 months.

Of course, if you're worried about your baby's weight, consult your doctor or a health visitor.

How to Weigh the Baby?

A baby scale is specially designed to give even the smallest infants an accurate weight. To use one,clean the weighing tray and place your baby in it.

Next, put the scale on a level surface to get the most accurate measurement. Newer models can, however, provide precise measurements even on non-flat surfaces.

You may be required to calibrate the scale, and most scales come with an instruction manual on how to do this.

Then, hold them still while the scale takes a reading. It's essential to keep your baby calm and still during this process, as any movement can affect the accuracy of the reading.

If the scale does not have a tare function, don't forget to account for the weight of their clothing.

Once the baby scale has taken a reading, you can record the measurements and weigh them as often as necessary to track their growth. With a bit of practice, weighing your baby will become second nature.

How To Choose The Right Baby Scale?

Consider the following when buying a baby scale.

Weighing Tray

The weighing tray is the part of the scale where the baby is placed, and it should be large enough to accommodate your child comfortably. A comfortable tray will make it easy to position your baby correctly and help ensure they remain still during the weigh-in. In addition, a smooth surface and rounded edges will help to keep your child safe and comfortable during the process.

Weight Range

Babies develop quickly, as any parent knows. It might be challenging to keep up with their changing needs, especially when looking for the correct baby scale. Choose a device with a larger weighing capacity so you can use it throughout your child's growing years, from infancy through toddlerhood. You won't have to buy a new scale this way every few months or years.

Accuracy

Accuracy is such an essential factor to consider when choosing a baby scale. A scale, even a few ounces off, can give parents incorrect information about their baby's health. This can lead to unnecessary worry or, even worse, dangerous delays in treatment. So how can you ensure that you're getting an accurate reading? First, make sure that the scale is calibrated correctly. Many scales have built-in calibration features, but if yours doesn't, you can usually calibrate it yourself using weights of known mass. Second, ensure that your scale is accurate to at least 100 grams. It would help if you also went for one with a Class III NAWI approval. This ensures that the scale has been tested for accuracy.

Unit of measurement

When choosing a baby scale, the unit of measurement is an important consideration. In most parts of the world, kilograms are the standard unit for weight, but in the United States, pounds and ounces are still widely used. This can make it challenging to compare weights when using different scales.

Some baby scales allow you to switch between units of measurement, which can be helpful if you need to convert between kilograms and pounds. Ultimately, the best way to choose a baby scale is to find one that uses the unit of measurement you are most comfortable with.

Tare/Zero Out function

The Tare function is a crucial element to consider when purchasing a baby scale. Because the Tare function accounts for the weight of a diaper or blanket, you can better estimate your baby's weight.

Similarly, if you're doing a weighted feed, you can use Tare to subtract the baby's weight to determine how much milk they've consumed.

Simply put, if you need to remove the weight of one thing to get an accurate weight for another, use the Tare function.

Zero appears to be doing the same thing as Tare, but it serves a distinct function.

When there is nothing on the scale but the reading does not indicate Zero, use the Zero function.

This permanent scale calibration removes unwanted weight from dust, rust, or other buildup.

Hold function

Any parent knows babies are wiggly creatures who never seem to stay still. As a result, getting an accurate weight measurement can be difficult. This is where the Hold function comes in handy. Once you press the button, it will record your baby’s weight without fluctuating during every movement. This can be a lifesaver when trying to get a precise measurement, and it’s just one more reason to consider the hold function when choosing the correct baby scale.

FAQ

Are Baby Scales Accurate?

Yes, baby scales are typically quite accurate, at least up to 100 grams and sometimes between 15-30 grams for many higher-end models.

However, as with any scale for measuring BMI, it's vital to ensure that it is properly calibrated and has a Class III NAWI approval for accuracy.

Some factors that can affect the accuracy of a baby scale include the weight range, tare function, and hold function.

Hence, you should always consider these when determining the accuracy of your baby scale.

Can Baby Scales Be Wrong?

It is sometimes possible for your baby scales to give incorrect readings. Not to worry, though; this doesn't mean that there is something wrong within or that it is damaged. If you suspect your baby scales are a bit out of kilter, you should calibrate them using the zero button.

3. Should I weigh my baby every week?

No, you do not need to weigh your baby every week.

In fact, as per NHS guidelines, after the first 2 weeks, your baby should be weighed:

●      no more than once a month up to 6 months of age

●      no more than once every 2 months from 6 to 12 months of age

●      no more than once every 3 months over the age of 1

Your newborn will only be weighed more frequently than this if you request it or there are concerns about their health or development.

How Much Do Baby Scales Cost

There is a wide range of prices available for baby scales.

The price of basic scales that merely record weight will be lower, while the cost of more complex scales that include a variety of functions and features will be higher.

For example, while you can generally get baby scales such as the ZSBY-B01 baby scale and the SH-8008 Electronic Baby Weighing Scale for as low as $46 and $54, there is also the SH-03 Ultrasonic electric scale which costs up to $666.

Some other baby scales and their prices include:

Greater Goods Smart Baby Scale:$49.10

Smart Weigh Comfort Baby Scale: $33.22

AccuMed Baby Scale: $49.99

Where to Buy the Baby Scales?

Parents and pediatricians often need to purchase baby scales. Still, they can be difficult to find at a reasonable price. Medwish offers a wide variety of baby scales at wholesale prices, making it easy to find the perfect scale for any need.

And with Medwish's convenient online ordering, it's easy to get the scales delivered to you. So don't wait any longer; head to Medwish.com today and take advantage of our great baby-scale deals.

You can also contact us to let us know how we can be of service to you.

Conclusion

Weighing your baby is an integral part of monitoring their health and development. There are many different types of baby scales on the market, so choosing the one that fits your need and allows you to monitor your baby's growth effectively is essential.

We hope this comprehensive guide has helped you understand the different types of baby scales available on the market and what factors you need to consider when choosing the best one for your needs. If there further questions, you need to ask please don't hesitate to contact us or visit our website. 

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