Older babies in the 8- to 12-month range are prime candidates for learning to use a sippy cup, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Most babies in this age group can sit independently, which will make the physical manipulation of the cup easier to handle. Like a bottle, many sippy cups require your child to suck at the spout to get the liquid out. Some babies take to a sippy cup easily. Others are more wary or have difficulty learning the mechanics. Wait for cues for your child to know when and how to introduce a sippy cup.
Step 1
Buy sippy cups that have side handles for your baby to grab and hold. Even if your child understands what the cup is for and can properly suck the liquid, using the cup will be frustrating if she cannot pick it up easily. Some children may respond more readily if you let them practice picking it up and putting it down before you add a beverage.
Step 2
Introduce the unfamiliar sippy cup with a familiar drink inside, such as breast milk, formula, or whole milk if your child is at least a year old. Put a drop of the formula or milk on the spout portion of the cup to help your child understand what to do with the cup. Once he realizes his favorite drink is inside, he may become more interested.
Step 3
Give your baby or toddler a sippy cup at normal meal or nursing times if you are transitioning to using cups only. Most children who resist using a cup will eventually give in when they are hungry or thirsty, but it is important to put their nutritional needs ahead of your transition plans. If your little one continually shakes her head or pushes the cup away, you might need to postpone the sippy-cup instruction until she is more accepting.
Step 4
Assess your child's success with the sippy cup if he is enthusiastic about the idea. Remove the spill-proof valve inside the cover if he doesn't seem to be accessing liquid easily. Fill the cup with a very small amount of beverage once you've removed the lid, as the flow increases dramatically. You'll also want to keep your child in an area of your home that will not be damaged by spills.
Things You'll Need
- Sippy cups
