Sippy cups can be a great way for your baby to transition from nursing or bottle-feeding to a regular cup. They can also improve hand-to-mouth coordination. When your baby has the motor skills to handle a cup but not the skills to keep the drink from spilling, a
sippy cup can give him some independence while keeping cleanup to a minimum.
When should I introduce a sippy cup to my child?
Encourage your child to use a regular cup when you think he's ready. Some babies enjoy using a
sippy cup as early as 6 months, and others aren't interested until after their first birthday. Most babies seem ready around 7 to 9 months, though.
What's the best way to transition to a sippy cup?
Some babies take to a
sippy cup immediately, while others take a while to get used to the idea. Here are some tips to make the transition smoother:
* Start off with a soft, pliable, nipple-like spout, which will feel more familiar to your baby than a hard plastic spout. Some trainer cups, like the
Green Sprouts Trainer Sippy cup, offer a spout that's similar to the bottle, making for a smoother transition.
* Show your baby how to raise the cup to his mouth and tip it up to drink.
* Give it some time. Until your baby masters the technique, you may want to put water in the cup to avoid too many messes. Don't worry if your baby doesn't use the sippy cup properly for a while. It makes a fine toy, too!
* Try different models until you find one that suits your baby. Some cups, like the
Dr. Brown Interchangeable Training Cup, have valves that are so effective at keeping the liquid from spilling that children really have to work to get a drink.
What should I do if my child refuses the sippy cup?
Give it time. Your baby may not be ready or may desire a different spout or type of sippy cup. Some babies even graduate from breast or bottle straight to a regular cup. If you'd rather your baby learn to use a sippy, though, whether for convenience or because you think it'll make a good transition – try these strategies that many parents have used successfully:
* Dip the tip of the sippy spout into the breast milk or formula and then give it to your baby. She may just need a hint! Babies 6 months or younger should get only formula or breast milk in the sippy cup.
* Show your baby that the spout is like a nipple (it needs to be sucked on). Try touching the tip of the spout to the roof of her mouth to stimulate the sucking reflex.
* If she drinks from a bottle, give her half of her formula in the bottle. When it's empty, switch to the sippy cup for the second half of the feeding (continue to hold her as you do when she's bottle-feeding).
* Offer your baby a straw. Some baby cups, like the
Green Sprouts Aqua Bottle, come with built-in straws, and some babies find these easier to use than a spout (though others will give you a clueless look). If your baby does get the hang of sucking from a straw, she may then be better able to handle sucking from the spout.
* Switch beverages. Some babies will drink water or juice – but not breast milk or formula – from a sippy. Sometimes it's a matter of association (milk belongs in a bottle or breast). Never give juice to a baby 6 months or younger, and remember to limit juice for older babies and toddlers to no more than 4 to 6 ounces (a half cup or so) a day.
* Some parents have had success waiting to introduce the sippy cup until their baby is ready to start drinking whole milk (at age 1). Show her how. Get yourself a clean sippy and let your baby see you drink from it. Or have a sibling drink from a sippy in front of the baby. Sometimes all it takes is a little sucking noise (make it when you give her the cup) to inspire a baby to start sucking.
Shop around.
There are all kinds of
sippy cups, with all kinds of spouts or funky handles and design like the
Fluid Sippy Cup by Boon.
If you are looking for something a little more sleek, a good stainless steel option is the
The Safe Sippy Cup. The stainless steel also helps keep cold drinks cooler and hot drinks warmer for a longer period of time.
There are even bottles that transition from a regular bottle to a bottle with handles or to a sippy cup with a lid and straw or to a regular toddler cup.
Sippy cups give your child a certain level of independence, so it's worth letting your baby test-drive several if the one in hand isn't working.
To spare your diaper bag any added mess, make sure to pick one that's spill proof, like the
Green Sprouts Non Spill Sippy. Then all you have to do is sit (or stand) back and enjoy this incredible milestone.
And to keep those sippy cups and toys from hitting the floor, snap and trap with this super cute (and safe) tethering device.
The Bella Tunno Little Linker is 10.5" long with DIFFERENT sized elastic loops on each end to accommodate any accessory. Just attach one loop to your stroller or car seat, and the other to your child’s sippy cup or toy, and you’re done! They’re available in grosgrain argyle and reversible fabrics!
To order any of our
Sippy cups and accessories online, please visit our
website or call us at
818.380.3111. You can also feel free to email us at
info@shopthehaven.com with any questions.
