Any tips on getting a toddler to suck out of a straw?

Question

She's 20 months, 18 months adjusted. She's only been on a sippie for 4 months now because she couldn't hold her bottle. I asked her physical therapist, and she will be evaluated by an occupational therapist for some other issues and this is the advice that she gave me.

Try a straw and hold the top to keep the liquid in to try to get her to lick and realize she has to position her lips around the straw to get anything out. Or those mini juice boxes (half the size of a normal juice box) and squirt a little into her mouth, while her lips are around the straw, to get the feel of how it works. Any other tips??

Answer 1

my daughter learned just learned how to use a straw (she is 18 months old) i also tried holding the top of the straw to teach her but it only seemed to hinder the process. she would even suck on the straw when i held the top to get some out, but she wouldnt do it the right way i guess you would put it. then one day she just did it on her own. just keep showing her how you use a straw and she will catch on. if you have any other kids, or if you have any friends with kids around her age that can use a straw, have them use a straw in front of her, honestly i think that is how my daughter learned, she watched her 2 yr old friend do it.

Answer 2

The straw-holding technique worked for us. We held the top of the straw and gave our toddler drink that way. It took a month or two of occasional use like this (terrible confession, when we'd have soda at restaurants) for him to figure it out. I think the soda was a big motivator, alas. I have now fooled him into drinking "soda water", or plain soda water with a little juice mixed in.

Funny story: Tonight we were playing with water on the high chair tray. (Great activity--muffin tins and a few measuring cups, and he's totally engaged) I had a straw that we were pretending to stir with, and then I put it into the water and blew bubbles. He laughed and laughed and then tried it, but could only suck upwards instead of blowing the bubbles. The look on his face as he drank the water was priceless.

Answer 3

I disagree with the above answer. My daughter is 10 months and can use a straw and my son was about 9 months when he started. I did just what your therapist recommended for my daughter and she did it in about 2 days with no help but those first two days I had to dribble it into her mouth each time so she understood to suck it. The juice box was great b/c even when she didn't suck I could squirt it into her mouth. Sorry I don't have any other advice but that worked for me and mine.

Answer 4

My first child was born just shy of 23 weeks gestation almost 14yrs ago. It wasnt until she was 3 or 4 she could drink from a straw. Dont push it just keep offering it to her and follow the suggestions of her therpist. My second child my son who is 10 months old was born 5 weeks early and he didnt hold his bottle til "later then most" but thats because he was being compaired to children his birth age. He developed this mildstone and has skyrocketed since. But with anything just keep trying and dont give up

Tetsi thats great that it worked for your children but were they premature infants with developmental delays? Because that is what we are talking about here. My now soon to be 14yr old was very delayed due to being premature. My son was slightly behind by about a month and when he caught up he skyrocketed and is now developing well beyond his birth age. Some premature infants like the ladies who is asking the question or developmentally behind and therefore can not and should not be compaired to their birth age peers.

Answer 5

She's just a little too young to get it, developmentally. Most kids can't drink out of a straw cup until they are 2 years old. The recommended age on the cups says 2 years and up. With her adjusted age, I'd say don't expect her to get it until she's closer to 2 1/2.

Answer 6

forget approximately people while they act severe and amazing and inform you he ought to have been off the bottle a lengthy time in the past. this is BS b/c sure, this is optimal for a baby to be off a bottle yet realistically, no longer all little ones carry on with a pleasing timeline (my maximum suitable pal is a pediatrician and informed me this is fantastic - no longer great habit yet no longer something which will ruin him). some little ones, like my son, are very sturdy-minded and does no longer supply up the bottle except i wanted him to scream, cry (till he might turn blue), throw himself against the mattress, wall, etc...and bang his head on the floor. So, i presumed, do I tension his bottle removed from him b/c jerks desire to tell me what to do (it rather is a sore factor with me) or merely wait somewhat longer till he can mentally understand why i desire him to supply up and he would not have this reaction. I did the 2nd. i'm nonetheless engaged on it and he's two a million/2 yet we are on the factor the place he merely has it in the evening (a great step for us). in keeping with risk try giving him beverages he likes in the sippy cup and save attempting. i'm no professional yet got here upon that my son will all of sudden be waiting for a transformation. additionally, enable him make the mess. i'm the anal sort and hates messes yet i've got discovered that if i desire my son to consume or drink what he desires to, then he could make a multitude. maximum suitable of success!

Answer 7

Does she know how to give real kisses? (Not those big wet open-mouth ones!!) The smooch of a kiss work kind of like the sip on a straw. It worked for my kids!

Answer 8

He's still young, just keep encouraging her to drink with the straw! Your doing great.

Answer 9

Put something sweet on the end