Infant Scale Guide for Clinics, Pediatric Offices and WIC Programs
Reviewed by MNM Scales technicians · Updated November 2, 2026 · Prices checked November 2, 2026
Short answer: an infant scale for a clinic should weigh up to 44 lb / 20 kg in small steps, hold the baby in a contoured cradle or tray that lifts off for cleaning, and come with a calibration certificate. The Adam MTB 20 reads 0.005 lb / 5 g with a cradle and a toddler mat at $193.99, the Brecknell MS-15 reads 0.01 lb with a memory key at $138.99, and the Doran PC-400-10 weighs diapers and specimens up to 10 lb in 0.005 lb / 2 g steps at $469. Call (832) 290-3120 for multi-room or program orders.
This guide is for pediatric and family practice offices, hospitals and maternity units, WIC and public health programs, lactation consultants and home health teams buying infant scales for professional use. It covers equipment features and service only; your clinical team sets weighing procedures. MNM Scales has sold, calibrated and repaired scales for over 30 years from our shop in Cypress, Texas. Equipping a whole practice? See our medical scale for sale guide for exam room, chair and bariatric scales.
What to look for in an infant scale
- Capacity: 44 lb / 20 kg covers newborns through toddlers on the same scale.
- Readability: 0.005 lb / 5 g or 0.01 lb steps show small changes between visits; a diaper and specimen scale reads 2 g.
- Cradle or tray: a contoured cradle supports the baby and keeps spills off the base; a removable cradle or tray cleans at the sink.
- Toddler use: a scale with a removable cradle and a non-slip mat weighs toddlers once they can sit or stand.
- Memory or hold: a memory key recalls the last weight so staff can keep a hand near the child, then record the reading.
- Power: battery power lets the scale move between rooms and travel on home visits; an AC adapter suits a fixed station.
- Calibration: order the scale calibrated with a certificate so your records show it was checked before first use.
Infant scale options in stock
| Scale | Capacity x readability | Weighing surface | Features | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Equipment MTB 20 | 44 lb x 0.005 lb (20 kg x 5 g) | Ergonomic cradle, 22.0 x 11.2 in; lifts off to a non-slip mat | Memory recall, 29 mm LCD digits, auto power-off, kg and lb, 3-year Adam warranty | AC adapter (included) or 4 AA | $193.99 |
| Brecknell MS-15 | 44 lb x 0.01 lb (20 kg x 5 g) | Deep contoured tray, 23 x 11 in inside, lifts off for cleaning | Memory key, 1 in LCD, On/Tare and Mode keys, lb and kg, 6.6 lb body | 4 AA (included) | $138.99 |
| Doran PC-400-10 | 10 lb x 0.005 lb (4500 g x 2 g) | Sized for diapers and specimens | Small-capacity scale with 2 g steps for diaper and specimen weights | Ask us | $469 |
Infant scale picks by setting
- Pediatric and family practice exam rooms: the MTB 20 covers infants in the cradle and toddlers on the mat with one scale per room.
- WIC and public health programs: the MS-15 and MTB 20 run on AA batteries and carry between sites; call us to quote multi-site orders.
- Lactation and home visits: the MTB 20 reads in 0.005 lb steps and runs on batteries, and its memory recall holds the last reading while you write it down.
- Hospitals and maternity units: pair a cradle scale with the Doran PC-400-10 where staff weigh diapers or specimens.
- Patients who cannot stand: see our wheelchair scale guide; for clinics that also weigh small animals, see our veterinary scale guide.
Cleaning and daily checks
- Clean between patients: lift off the cradle or tray and wipe it with the cleaner your facility uses on plastic surfaces; keep liquid out of the base and display.
- Use a liner: a disposable liner on the cradle reduces cleaning time; zero the scale with the liner in place.
- Zero first: press zero or tare with the empty cradle before each weighing.
- Level surface: set the scale on a firm, level counter or cart so it reads the same every time.
- Spot-check: place a known test weight on the scale at a set interval and record the reading; call us if it drifts.
- Replace batteries early: low batteries can cause unstable readings; see our guide to a scale that will not zero.
Rules: infant scales and NTEP
The infant scales on this page are not NTEP certified; they are built for weighing patients in clinics, programs and home visits. TDA does not require an NTEP certificate for every device, but the scale must meet NIST Handbook 44 and suit its use; some scales do need one, so we recommend NTEP models and can check yours. Any scale used to buy or sell by weight has to be legal for trade, and we recommend NTEP models for that use. Our TDA-registered technicians can check your use; see our NTEP guide and our TDA scale certification guide.
Calibration and rental
- MTB 20 and MS-15 (20 kg): in-house calibration with a certificate is $250, or NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate is $595, done before the scale ships.
- Doran PC-400-10 (4.5 kg): in-house calibration with a certificate is $195, or NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate is $495.
- On-site service: $295 + $2 per mile per visit across the Houston area, with calibration charged per scale; see on-site calibration in Houston and our scale calibration service in Houston.
- Certificates and budgets: see NIST vs in-house certificates and how much scale calibration costs.
- Mail-in, repairs and rentals: ship a scale for mail-in calibration, have us repair the brands we sell, and rent all types of scales while yours is in for service.
Buying for a clinic or program? Tell us how many rooms or sites, whether you weigh toddlers as well as infants, and which certificate your records need. We will match the scale and quote calibration. Shop: 21249 FM 529 Rd, Cypress, TX 77433, visits by appointment.
Frequently asked questions
What capacity infant scale does a clinic need?
Most clinics choose 44 lb / 20 kg, which covers newborns through toddlers. The Adam MTB 20 and Brecknell MS-15 both weigh up to 44 lb.
What readability should an infant scale have?
Pick 0.005 lb / 5 g or 0.01 lb steps to see small changes between visits. The MTB 20 reads 0.005 lb and the MS-15 reads 0.01 lb.
Can one scale weigh infants and toddlers?
Yes. The Adam MTB 20 weighs infants in its cradle, and the cradle lifts off to a non-slip mat for toddlers.
Is a diaper scale different from an infant scale?
Yes. A diaper and specimen scale such as the Doran PC-400-10 weighs up to 10 lb in 2 g steps on a small platform, while an infant scale holds the baby in a cradle up to 44 lb.
Do you calibrate infant scales?
Yes. We calibrate infant scales in-house with a certificate before they ship, by mail-in, or on-site across Greater Houston for $295 + $2 per mile per visit. Call (832) 290-3120.
Can I order several infant scales for a program?
Yes. Call (832) 290-3120 or request a quote with the number of sites and the certificate you need, and we will quote the scales and calibration together.