Self weigh

Scales for self weigh are now available in our Family Hubs and across Suffolk Libraries.

The guidance below will help with weighing your baby. This guidance can be used for most scales, however, some scales may be different so please follow the guidelines for the scales that you use at the self-weighing station.

How often to weigh your Baby

Weighing your baby too often may cause unnecessary concern. The list below shows how often, as a maximum, babies should be weighed to monitor their growth. However, most children will not need to be weighed as often as this:

Weighing your baby

Step by Step guide:

• if your child is under 2 it is recommended your child is naked when weighed
• ensure you have washed your hands or used the hand gel provided
• before placing your baby on the changing mat, make sure it is clean
• undress your baby. Press the start button. Wait for 0.000 to appear on the display. The scale is then automatically set to zero and ready to use. If you are using a blanket, you can place this on first and reset the scales to zero by pressing the start button
• place your baby on the tray, ensuring that they lie as still as possible. If your baby can sit unaided, you can sit them on the scales. If not, please lay your baby on their back on the scales and ensure your baby is not holding onto anything which may affect the weight
• take a note of the weight. Take your baby off the scales and redress them
• turn to page 51 of your Red Book to record the date, your baby’s age and weight
• clean the mat and the scales with the wipes provided
• take any dirty nappy home with you
• wash your hands or use the hand gel provided

Recording your Baby’s weight in your Red Book

After you have weighed your baby, plot their weight in the Red Book. You can also record your baby’s weight in a table.

If your baby’s weight has:

• increased or dropped, crossing 2 centile lines (the blue or pink curved lines on the weight chart) or
• the weight is above the top centile line or below the bottom centile line or
• the weight is on the bottom line (0.4th centile) and they haven't been on there before

Please contact the Health Business Centre on 0345 6078 866 and they can review your this with you. You can also talk to the member of the team who are on site with you.

Where to go for Help

You can contact the Health Business Centre on 0345 6078 866 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm or you can text us on 07312 277020 Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm.

Family Hubs where you can self weigh your child

Drop in to the following Family Hubs at the time indicated if you wish to weigh your child.

Suffolk Libraries where you can self weigh your child

Please click on this link for details of Baby Weighing Facilities in Suffolk Libraries where you will be able to self weigh your child.