The introduction of a sippy cup into your baby's life is a significant achievement. It means she's getting a little closer to feeding herself, which also means she's starting to grow up. However, not all babies immediately fall in love with the sippy cup.
Many babies resist the sippy cup, partially because they're used to bottles or breastfeeding and they aren't sure how to use a sippy cup. If you're not sure how to introduce a sippy cup to your baby, here are some tips to help get you started.
Step 1
Determine if your baby is ready for a sippy cup. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that sippy cups be introduced to babies when they're eight to 12 months old. However, many parents give their babies sippy cups earlier, with some babies using sippy cups as early as five months. There's no right or wrong time to introduce a sippy cup, so the biggest factor is how comfortable you feel giving one to your baby.
Step 2
Choose the right sippy cup. Sippy cups come in all shapes and sizes, which can be overwhelming if you're buying one for the first time. For your baby's first sippy cup, you'll want to choose a cup that has a soft spout that is kind to her gums. The rest is up to you.
Some cups have handles on the sides; others require the baby to grip the cup itself. Some cups are plain, some have designs and some even have pictures of your baby's favorite characters. The possibilities are endless, and you can pick whichever cup you feel will be best for your baby.
Step 3
Give your baby the sippy cup. It's a good idea to hold him and put the sippy cup to his mouth, especially if he's still very young. It might take a while for your baby to figure out what to do with the sippy cup, so let him play with it for a little bit. He'll soon figure out that he can drink out of the spout.
When you're first starting out with the sippy cup, it's a good idea to stick to liquids like juice and water. This will help him learn how to use the sippy cup without missing out on any nutrients.
Step 4
Let your baby hold the sippy cup. As she learns how to sit up, she will develop the dexterity to bring the cup to her mouth and drink from it. Encourage this action by sitting her in a high chair, or laying her down and propping her head up on a pillow. Then, let her feed herself. Try again in a few weeks if she's not ready yet.
If she continues to have difficulty as she becomes more coordinated, try using a different type of cup. For example, if her sippy cup doesn't have handles, get a cup with handles and let her try holding the cup using the handles.
Tips and Warnings
- If your baby isn't interested in drinking juice or water out of the sippy cup, try giving him breast milk with the cup. The familiar taste of formula or breast milk might inspire him to drink out of the sippy cup. Most sippy cups come with valves that control the flow of liquid and minimize spills. If your baby is having trouble drinking out of the sippy cup, try removing the valve. The quicker flow might be a little messy, but it will teach him that the cup contains liquid and that he can drink from the cup.
Things You'll Need
- Sippy cup
- Juice or water
