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Behaviour/development

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Original poster

lbs versus kgs.... I just don't get why everyone is still giving their babies' weights as lbs...??

70 replies

bergentulip · 07/07/2008 09:00

... because I have never once been told my baby's own weight in anything but kgs, and have no idea what anyone is on about. This was in the UK, and as far as I am aware has been using the metric system for quite some time.

And the same goes for bottles of milk. Always in fluid ozs. I don't get it.

I don't think it is a generational thing, as everyone seems to use the imperial measurements on MN, but I have not a clue what everyone is going on about, and have to constantly check a measurement converter on 'tinternet!

So, someone, please explain this to me. What's the aversion to kgs, grams and litres/ ml ?

OP posts:

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hana · 07/07/2008 09:03

and in cars as well - most speedometers are in miles as are roadsigns. It's a hangup to the 'new' metric system, people just won't let gooooooooooo

WigWamBam · 07/07/2008 09:14

Because it's what we old farts understand. And we Don't Like Change.

ummadam · 07/07/2008 09:15

I use both as I'm used to converting between the two. My parents don't understand kg at all and my PILs don't understand imp at all (european!).

I was very proud of myself when I remembered to put both versions of DS's weight on the birth announcement cards we sent to family....... until it was politely pointed out to me that I had left off his length! (we don't use it much in the UK but on the continent all the clothes sizes are done in cm height so all his swiss rels wanted to know his height!

Kewcumber · 07/07/2008 09:16

I use kg

I wqsa one of the first school pupils to learn metric but of course no-one really understood it at home so used imperial at home.

Litterbug · 07/07/2008 09:16

Im not an old fart and I always talk in LBs and fluid Ozs , I don't know KGs!

artichokes · 07/07/2008 09:20

I use an odd mix of metric and imperial. Height in centimetres but weight in pounds. Temp in centigrade for weather but farenheit for fevers .

Basically the things my Mum used to talk to me about as a child I still use the imperial system for - so babies weights and fevers. But things I was taught at school I use the metric system for...

Original poster

bergentulip · 07/07/2008 09:23

But that's my point. The "non old farts" who learnt metric at school, like me... and go into the supermarket and buy things in litres, in kgs and grams, etc etc etc.....
where did you pick up lbs and ozs?

I have never really come across it that much in every day life--- until babies, and also to roast a chicken, which I learnt from my gran 20mins per lb, plus 20 mins....

Plus, we ARE European,.... it's not "we're going to Europe on holiday", we're already flippin' well there!

OP posts:

HeadFairy · 07/07/2008 09:27

when I was regularly having ds weighed at the baby clinic they'd convert kgs to lbs as though kgs were some kind of odd term only those in the medical profession could understand. Although I instinctively understand imperial measures more I can convert them pretty quickly so I was always a little bit patronised when the hv used to convert them for me. Maybe I was just being sensitive

JennsterSlugSlayer · 07/07/2008 09:28

Same here artichokes, only when it's cold its centigrade, and when it's hot it's farenheight.

Kewcumber · 07/07/2008 09:28

where did you pick up lbs and ozs? - from parents who didn;t learn it

WeeBesom · 07/07/2008 09:33

I'm another that uses an odd mix of imperial and metric.

I use pounds and ounces for baking and babys weight but metres and centimetres for height.

It is weird how I flit between both but was taught metric! Also use the pound rule for chickens/meat.

artichokes · 07/07/2008 09:34

Wxactly Kew. I learned fever temps and baby weights from Mum before the school ever started to teach me metric. I fear DD will be the same and that in 2008!

Lol at Jennster and your hot/cold divide. Did your parents only talk to you about hot weather?

AbbeyA · 07/07/2008 09:36

lbs and ozs is a very convenient way to weigh babies, it is also handier for cooking meat! It isn't just babies-adults give their weight in stones and pounds-it sounds lighter!! I have never heard a slimmer saying how many grams they lost in a week.

JodieG1 · 07/07/2008 09:37

I use old money for everything iirc. I'm 29 but I don't like kilos, it will always be pounds for babies and feet and inches for height. I also don't consider myself European, I'm English.

I don't see why we should be forced to change either just to fit in with the rest of Europe, we're still our own country and I want it to stay that way.

misdee · 07/07/2008 09:40

i use imperial as am not that old (28) but worked in a shop for over 6 years using the imperial system, so still find it hard to switch over.

i knew that approx 4 large slices of ham equalled half a pound.

and could measure out 4oz of cheese pretty close before actually weighing it.

measure in cm and m as was how to do that at school. my dad who is an 'oldie' (in his 60's) uses inches and feet.

babies weights should always be lbs and oz IMO as thats what i understand lol.

i am usless at converting.

hoxtonchick · 07/07/2008 09:42

i am very metric, only know my height & weight in metres & kg. people my age & older think i'm weird!

fishie · 07/07/2008 09:43

i am old and i am entirely metric. have no idea what i or ds or dh weighs in stones and cook in kilos too. i cause consternation at butcher.

Original poster

bergentulip · 07/07/2008 09:44

Yeah, but AbbeyA, I hear people talking about losing kgs a lot. Never the grams, true.
But to me, "oh, I lost 3kgs" sounds a lot more impressive than the equivalent in lbs... (notice how I avoid giving what the equivalent might be, cos I have not a clue.... a stone? Anyone?)

OP posts:

solo · 07/07/2008 09:45

Us Brits don't like change

Ladytophamhatt · 07/07/2008 09:45

I use lbs and oz's

kgs confuse me, even though I know how to convert them

Ladytophamhatt · 07/07/2008 09:47

1kg is 2.2 lbs so 3kg would be just 6.6 lbs....but obv the .6 woudl be included

thumbwitch · 07/07/2008 09:51

i think that even the "youngsters" who work solely on metric system will find that their mums/ older aunts/ grans etc have almost no clue how much a baby weighs in kg so will always ask in pounds.
Australia went metric completely back in the 70s so my DH only functions in kg, but his mum still prefers stones and lbs.
I also use an odd mix - height in feet and inches, weight I can use both now, distances in miles, cooking in either (I have both imperial and metric weights for my pan scales), temp in celsius (chemistry lessons) except for body temp - easier to know when a fever is starting in Fahrenheit; pints are pints and always will be but I can use metric too for measuring liquids in small amounts - better at imperial for large amounts (gallons).
I'm pretty sure it is mostly generational but it is also about who you talk to

lou031205 · 07/07/2008 10:34

I am 28 and was taught metric at school, but my family used imperial.

I always try to find recipes in imperial measurements, I prefer it. I use centigrade temps, inches, etc

fledtoscotland · 07/07/2008 11:26

"if it aint broke why fix it?" at work i use metric but personally i find imperial measurements easier ie i know a kilometre is 5/8ths of a mile but i know how far a mile is and cannot judge the distance of a KM.

DanJARMouse · 07/07/2008 11:33

Im 25.

I use :

lbs & oz for babies and baking
feet and inches in height
meters and cm when measuring anything other than height
miles for driving
stones and lbs for weight of an adult

everything else confuses me!

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