Sippy Cups - Maryland, NY

We introduced my son to a sippy when he was about this age. The problem is is that they don't know to suck to get out juice. Can you remove the anti-spill for a little while. This way he knows that there is something inside and he will learn to suck. Are you cutting the juice by 50%. You really don't want to give him whole juice. My son is 2 and a half and we cut everything, almost, except milk.

C.,

It takes a little time before babies get used to the idea of a sippy. Let him play with it for a while, and he'll get it. Try a Nuby brand sippy cup. The spouts are very similar to bottle nipples, so it may make for a smoother transition.

As for holding his bottle for him, don't. Why should he do it himself if you'll do it for him, and cuddle and hold him and give him all your attention in the process? Why should he give that up? Give hime the bottle while he's playing, and walk away. He may not drink it the first time or two, but he will when he gets hungry. He won't starve himself in order to avoid holding his own bottle.

Jess

i agree with the others. If you hold his bottle for him he won't do it. On the sippy cup let him play with it at first he'll try it when he's more ready my kids was closer to 1 when i gave mine sippy cup gl

I introduced the sippy cup to my son at about 6 months but it was only a novelty at first - something to play with. Eventually he got used to the idea of what it was used for, but not until after a lot of practice! I would offer it at every meal with watered down juice or water in it until my son caught on to what it was for. I also tried a couple different types of sippy cups before finding one he took to. The Nuby works for us - it resembles a bottle in that it has a soft spout like a nipple, but has two handles to hold on to like a cup. Be patient - your son will start using a sippy and holding his own bottle when he's ready! Enjoy his dependence while it lasts! Good luck!

OK, here's my opinion, take it for whatever you want. DO NOT expect or want your son to hold his bottle. Think about it: if he was nursing this would be a moot point. Holding him and cuddling him is what it's all about! He will only be a baby once. Do not allow him to walk around with his bottle, either. It is a meal, meals are eaten while sitting, start the habits now. Also, if you let him hold his own bottle he will start to get possesive of it and it will be that much harder to give it up. Seriously, my daughter NEVER held her own bottle, we didn't encourage it, and she had no trouble giving it up at one year. As for the sippy cup dilemma, just keep trying. He probably won't get the hang of it until he's a year old...but keep offering it so he can practice. Try the ones with the removeable valves, without the valve at first. This way it will pour into his mouth and he'll start to figure it out. Then put the valve in when he seems to know what the cup is for. If he understands then he will try to suck on it to get a drink. Also, try the cups with the built in straws...they are great, too. Good luck!

When my son was about the same age as yours, I had to try a few different types of sippy cups until I found one that worked for him... Nuby is the one that worked for him... and as far as getting him to hold on to it, I had to work at that for a while... I'd say..."you hold it" over and over till it worked...lol
I cant help you with the juice issue, because my son loves his apple juice (which I dilute with water).

I don't really think they will hold their own bottles until they ar about 9 months - don't push it they will when they are ready. I introduced my children to sippy cups at 1 year.

Jenn Smith
http://jennsmith.stayinhomeandlovinit.com

My daughter is the same age, and would not drink juice out of the sippy cup. We tried giving her juice through a straw - and it worked. The first day we filled the straw with juice and then let it flow into her mouth. Then the next day, I offered her the straw and she sucked the juice down. After a week of this - I found a baby jug in the grocery store with a straw in it. She loves it - holds it on her own and drinks juice from it. It's worth a try -good luck!

Not exactly the answer for your question, but just heard that sippy cups leak chemicals into the drink. SIGG bottles are the answer apparently. See below....

The SIGG bottles are on sale at this site...

http://gearx.com/advanced_search_result.php?
search_in_description=0&keywords=SIGG+kids

OR see www.reusablebags.com

Just give it time....he'll come around soon enough. My son didn't use sippy cups till he was 9 months old. My oldest refused to give up the bottle b/f 3 years! I learned my lesson...LOL!
Good luck!