Any suggestions?

Question

My son is turning 7mths old next week Tues. Is it to early to introduce him to a sippy cup? and if not which ones would you recommend?

Answer 1

7 months is exactly when you are supposed to start. The NUBE cups are great because they are soft like a bottle and transition the baby slowly.

Answer 2

No, I dont think it is too early at all. I started giving my girl a sippy cup about then. First it was just for play, now at 12 mths that is all she has and she's a pro at it. It can take some time, so you can continue using a bottle for the first few mths if you like.

I really like the one we have that has two handles on the side, that has a little cover for the spout she can open and close on her own (great for when travelling), and of course is spill proof. It's not a brand name or anything, it just has Winnie the Poo on the front so I fell in love with it.

Note: And although some here say go straight to a regular cup, there is no way a 7mth old can handle a cup by themselves. My 12 mth old still throws her sippy cup on the floor during most meals (only to lean over her high chair, staring at it until I pick it up again of course). If this wasnt spill proof, her water would be everywhere. Which I guess isnt that big of a deal, but considering most use the bottle until at least 1yr old I still feel ahead of the game that she's got her sippy cup down already.

Answer 3

If your son sits well in a high chair, is trying some solids now, and seems interested, than introducing a sippy cup is perfectly fine. I prefer the "old fashioned" sippy cups, the kind that are not spill-proof, but have a lid with a spout that has holes in it for a first introduction to a sippy cup. Or, I have taken the valve out of the newer sippy cups so that the liquid comes out without having to suck to hard. Drinking from the sippy cup requires a different type of sucking than from a bottle or breast and not all babies get the hang of what to do with the sippy cup. Also, I personally recommend sticking with water, formula, and/or breast milk in the sippy cup. Avoid juice as much as possible and when you do offer it, dilute it 1/2 water 1/2 juice and limit the intake to 4 ounces per day. I have operated a daycare in my home for 20 years. I have seen so many "juice-aholics" - babies and children who drink juice from a sippy all day long and won't eat properly because their little tummies are always filled with sugary liquid (even 100% juice has a high sugar content). I have resorted to offering only milk and water for a beverage at my home with an occasional juice offering with snack. All the kids eat much better because of it. Another suggestion is to skip the sippy cup and introduce a small cup with a built-in straw. I have several children who use these instead of sippy cups and like them better.

Answer 4

I would say you should go ahead and try him with a sippy cup. My son is a little over 6 months old and he has been using a sippy (somewhat) for about 2-3 weeks now. He still tries to bite on it instead of drinking at first, but then each time he gets the hang of it and will drink from it. He likes the nuby cup with the really pliable (almost nipple-like) spout. I think those are the easiest for little ones to get the hang of and easiest for transition. If he doesn't like that one, try different ones until you find one he likes. Just remember to be patient and let him "help" if he wants to do so. It will take time for him to adjust, but the earlier you try, the better according to my son's pediatrician. She says that it makes for an easier transition when it comes time to completely eliminate the bottle because babies are much less attached and set in his/her ways at this age. Good luck!!

Answer 5

Well, from experience, I will tell you this, when you introduce liquids other than formula to your baby, you should teach them right from the beginning how to use a regular cup. With my 2 oldest children, I basically took them off the bottle and substituted with a sippy cup. THIS SUCKS! My oldest was 3 before I could even consider taking it away, and my middle child is now 2 and I am in the process of taking it away and it is hell. She cries and wants her cuppy and I just know I will not ever make this mistake again. My baby will learn how to use a regular cup and there will be no transition to or from a sippy cup.

Answer 6

Nope it isn't to early for a sippy cup.

Some people like the soft spouted ones. I like any of the ones with a valve otherwise the leak (you know when he puts it upside down and shakes it)

Answer 7

If he is nursing...it is a great time to try. Find one with handles and I prefer the type that have a 1 piece filter, there are some that have a chewy type spout, but usually the filters are 3 pc. (which now that I think about it, get cleaner, but are harder to put together and remember which way it goes and all. I remember, but my husband always tries to do it backward.)

Answer 8

No, just give it to him at meals to experiment with while you are feeding him. I would use anything but the ones with handles on the sides. They seem confusing to kids, and besides, neither bottles or real cups have handles on them! My daughter was able to drink from a juice glass at 4 months. Not by herself, of course, we held it, but it was cool that she could do it that early. I guess my mom said my grandma used to do that with us. It's a nice introduction to drinking from a cup.

Answer 9

My kids transitioned using the Nuby cups, and they were both off the bottle by 12 months.

Answer 10

Try the next directry...they do swimwear for larger women but it is also great for pregnant women as it offers support and dosn't make you look frumpy. My advice would be to look on the net as there are many webpages out there that specialise in maternity wear that actually looks nice!