Baby being placed on a scale

What are Weighted Feeds?

Patrick McLean

Patrick McLean

Patrick McLean serves as Administrative Director and Co-CEO of Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center, a comprehensive pediatric therapy practice he co-founded with his wife Rose in 2014. With over a decade of healthcare business leadership, Patrick has transformed their vision of coordinated, family-centered care into a thriving multidisciplinary clinic serving families throughout Chicago. After graduating from Western Illinois University in 2004 with a Bachelor's degree in Business and Finance, Patrick developed expertise in healthcare operations, strategic planning, and organizational growth. His business acumen combined with a deep commitment to serving children with developmental needs has positioned Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center as a trusted resource for families navigating speech delays, sensory processing challenges, autism spectrum disorder, motor delays, and behavioral concerns. As Co-CEO, Patrick oversees essential operational pillars including marketing and community outreach, human resources and staff development, financial management and insurance coordination, and long-term business strategy. His leadership has enabled the clinic to expand from offering single therapy services to providing integrated physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, ABA therapy, and social work—all coordinated under one roof for maximum family convenience and clinical effectiveness. Patrick's management philosophy centers on creating systems that empower both staff and families. He has built a culture of collaboration where therapists from different disciplines communicate seamlessly about each child's progress, ensuring holistic treatment plans that address the whole child. His proudest moments come from witnessing families' journeys—from initial concerns through celebrated milestones and hard-won achievements. Beyond his professional role, Patrick brings personal perspective as a father of four children. He actively coaches his kids in various sports, enjoys creating barbecue masterpieces on his smoker, and values connection time with friends on the golf course. This balance between professional purpose and family life reinforces his understanding of the families Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center serves every day.

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A weighted feed is a procedure that measures a baby’s weight before breastfeeding and after breastfeeding to see how much milk has been transferred/consumed during that feeding alone. At CPTWC, our Lactation counselors have the equipment to weigh baby and assess feeding consumption.
To perform a weighted feed, you can:
  1. Place the scale on a flat, stable, and firm surface
  2. Undress the baby to a diaper
  3. Turn on the scale and let it “tare” to zero
  4. Place the baby on the scale and record their weight
  5. Feed the baby
  6. Weigh the baby again after feeding

 

The Goal of Weighted Feeding

 

The scale or lactation consultant will calculate the difference in weight to determine how much milk the baby consumed. The goal of the weighted feeding is to determine how much breastmilk your baby takes during one breastfeeding session. The baby will be weighed in a clean, dry diaper to ensure accuracy in the event that they void or stool during the feeding.
Your Chicago Pediatric Therapy Lactation Consultant can help interpret and understand the results of the feed. They can then provide recommendations accordingly to help you meet your feeding goals. This will ensure that you have a happy, healthy and growing baby.

Schedule Your Assessment

Call 773-687-9241 today to schedule your assessment with one of our Certified Lactation Counselors to look deeper at any of your baby’s feeding concerns! Check out our feeding page for more information!

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