How to teach your child to drink from a straw? How to teach a child to drink from a straw? Tips for parents

Already in the first and subsequent years of life, the baby will have to learn a lot. Some actions may not work out right away. But it's not scary. There will always be a mother nearby who will help and explain how to do it.

Sooner or later, parents have to instill new skills in their little children, those actions that were not yet familiar to them. In this regard, a lot of issues arise in the process that require solutions.

So, some parents are concerned about how to teach their child to drink from a straw. It happens that the baby is so accustomed to the sucking bottle that it is difficult for him to change his habit. First of all, you should make sure that the baby is already mentally prepared for new feats and new experiences in his life. Leave the sucking overnight. And during the day, step by step, accustom your child to another drinking instrument.

You can put on a show and explain to the little one that the bottle product goes to the little “lyalya” during the day, and the already grown-up baby, who he is, needs to learn to quench his thirst in a different way.

Another way is to show the process of action from your own experience. We all know how little kids love to repeat everything after adults. Give your child this opportunity. Let him watch carefully how you do it. He will probably be interested and want to repeat after you.

How to teach a child to drink from a sippy cup on his own

Only by arousing genuine interest in this product will the desired result be achieved. A mug with a drinking hole should be bright, light and safe. Let the baby first get used to the object, turn it in his hands, and play. Then pour your little one’s favorite drink and try to drink it. It won't work out right away. It can take a long time for a baby to get used to the little thing. But if he finds this process entertaining, within a few days you will be able to watch how your child shows long-awaited independence in this matter.

How to teach a child to drink from a bottle

It happens that a baby categorically refuses to suck milk from a bottle. Of course, this is understandable, eating from your mother’s breast is much more pleasant. But in cases where there is less breast milk than desired, there is no other choice. How to teach a baby this process? Here are some recommendations that will help you achieve your goal:

First of all, don't do it too early. A baby who is less than 4 weeks old will have a very difficult time weaning off his mother's nipple. And if there is an opportunity to wait, postpone the training to a later date.
Be patient. The baby feels your nervousness very well, not only is it transmitted to him, there will be no result until you understand that the process can be quite lengthy.
If you have the opportunity to attract one of your relatives who gets along well with children, this is the time. The baby will be more likely to try new things when his mother’s breasts are not in sight.
If the baby does not make contact and suddenly turns away, try changing the baby’s position. Maybe he's just uncomfortable.

When can you start training?

It is better to start teaching your baby to drink from a mug as soon as you wean him off the breast.
So, already at 7-8 months you can teach your child to drink from a mug. It is necessary to choose a beautiful, light and unbreakable mug, but it is better for the child to choose it himself.

As a transitional means, you can use a special sippy cup. It is convenient when it is time for a child to wean off a bottle, but he has not yet learned to drink from a mug. It is not advisable to delay with the sippy cup. As soon as the child learns to drink from it, you need to move on to learning to drink from a regular mug. The sooner a child starts learning, the sooner he will succeed.

Where to start studying

When you have already chosen a suitable cup (mug) that your child likes, you can try giving him some water. You can pour one or two sips and bring it to his mouth. Lean over and let him take a sip. Be sure to do this when the child is in a great mood, so that he does not subsequently have negative memories when he sees the cup.

Don’t get angry yourself if your baby doesn’t succeed. The first time is enough for him to understand what the mug is for. His desire to look at a new object for him, to touch and play, should not be hindered.

Remember that a child at this age understands well when you praise him and when you reprimand him.

It's okay if he spills water. Please try again later.
Give him what he likes to drink most (juice, compote, jelly...).
You can offer him a drink when he is in the bathroom. For him, this is a comfortable environment and there is no danger that he will spill the drink on himself.
Give him a break while drinking, and if he does not open his mouth, then never try to force the liquid in.

Say goodbye to the bottle forever

Hide the bottle and he will soon forget about it.

When he gets thirsty, bring him a mug and let him know that this is the only way he will drink from now on. If the desire to drink from a bottle reaches hysteria, and you cannot calm him down, use a trick:

Pour the drink he doesn’t like into a bottle, and pour his favorite juice into a cup. In this case, he will most likely prefer a cup.

If it works, then don’t show the bottle to your baby again. He must learn that drinking from a cup tastes better, and there is no alternative. At first, you can drink from a bottle only before bedtime.

Learning consistently

The baby may not drink enough of the drink from the cup and begin to be capricious. You can wait a little and let him take a sip again. You can let him drink from the spoon, but in no way return to feeding through the pacifier. Otherwise, you will have to start all over again. The child will not get used to drinking right away; it takes time. But by training it consistently, you will achieve positive results very quickly.

Sippy cup in a child's life

The most appropriate time for a child to start using a sippy cup is 6-7 months of age.

Don’t worry if your child treats the sippy cup like a toy at first.

Some young mothers who are not yet very experienced may encounter a number of difficulties in accustoming their baby to such children's utensils, but the children themselves quickly move from a bottle to such a convenient sippy cup. This is easy to explain, since the sippy cup has many advantages:

simple and easy to use;
made of durable high quality plastic;
is not heavy for a child’s hands;
has a so-called non-spill function, thanks to a tightly closing lid;
easy to care for, it is always easy and quick to wash;
has a special spout - a dispenser with holes, which limits the flow of liquid, thereby preventing the baby from swallowing too much of it.

Due to the fact that the sippy cup is convenient and light, many children really like to drink from it. For those children who already know how to hold a bottle and use it for its intended purpose, there should be no problems with a sippy cup (see also:). In addition, its significance also lies in the fact that:

It helps the child develop hand coordination, plus he develops the skill of bringing a similar household item to his mouth.
With regular use of a sippy cup, the process of switching to drinking from a cup will go quickly, without any particular difficulties.
Due to the fact that there is no possibility for the child to spill liquid from the sippy cup, this children's device becomes very relevant during street walks, as well as when you need to go shopping or visit with your child. The child will not only always be able to quench his thirst, but at the same time not douse himself and remain clean.

Varieties

The modern market for sippy cups for children is huge and diverse. Design features depend on the purpose of the model and the age of the baby for whom it is created.

educational - for the little ones;
sippy cup - for children from six months;
sippy cup with straw - for infants from 8-9 months;
a classic model with a nozzle with a spout - for one-year-olds;
Thermal drinker is a walking option.

The first sippy cup is better to buy a training one: its configuration includes several attachments, primarily a nipple and a soft spout. This model can be used even before the age of six months. Sippy cups for small children are usually easy to hold and have comfortable handles or handles.

The design of the sippy cup includes a valve that opens only when drinking. It is placed either in the spout or in a round insert, thanks to which the baby can drink liquid from any edge.

The reliable design of the sippy cup will not allow the drink to leak out, even if the baby throws it or starts shaking it, which he often likes to do with dishes. The option is very convenient for traveling and walking.

It is recommended to offer a sippy cup with a straw to a baby who refuses the classic models. Children may find it interesting to suck in water or juice through a straw inserted into the lid.

It is important to change the straw regularly as it can be difficult to clean. The drink remaining on the walls of the tube contributes to the appearance and spread of pathogenic bacteria

A classic sippy cup is suitable for older children, when they already hold it confidently and do not tip it over. This model is convenient for use at home: the child can drink carefully without spilling the drink on himself. This option is not particularly good for walking, as liquid will leak out if you tilt too much.

A transparent sippy cup is the most preferred option

Thermal drinkers are made of two containers built into each other, which allows this model to maintain the temperature of the drink for several hours. This feature allows parents to take water or juice for their child for a walk in cold weather.

Products with two spouts are interesting: the baby can drink from the soft one and gnaw on the harder one when he is teething.

When choosing a sippy cup, you must pay attention to the following points:

Product certification

It is important to be sure that your cookware is safe for children. Quality of plastic. It should not have an unpleasant odor, indicating the presence of harmful impurities. The presence of a measuring scale and transparent walls will allow you to dose the liquid correctly. Model volume

The younger the child, the smaller the container should be. The shape of a bottle or cup, the presence of handles. You should select a sippy cup taking into account the baby’s ability to hold an object. For little ones, it is better to choose a model with removable rubberized handles. After removing the nozzle, the universal sippy cup should have smooth, jagged edges. This will avoid possible injury. The rubberized bottom will prevent frequent falls. Having a cap that covers the spout will help prevent dust from getting in.

Principles for choosing drinking glassware

As noted above, initially it is easier to use a sippy cup. This item is better suited for naughty children's fingers.

A sippy cup is defined as a special container equipped with a valve in the spout. This “barrier” prevents excessive and spontaneous leakage of liquid from the bottle.

In order for water or milk to enter the mouth, the child needs to pull the liquid out of the spout using sucking movements, and this eliminates the risk of choking.

Sippy cups include three main parts: a bottle made of plastic or glass, a lid that contains a nozzle (nipple, spout with holes, straw) and convenient holders. All elements can be removed and washed.

How to teach a child to drink from a sippy cup? Thanks to the possibility of transformation, the sippy cup first resembles a bottle with a nipple, then a sippy cup with a spout, and at the final stage - an ordinary children's cup. That is, consistency is the most important principle of learning.

There are several types of sippy cups:

sippy cup with silicone nipple and soft spout. Suitable for babies younger than 6 months of age. The attachments change as the child grows;
sippy cup with a hard plastic spout. Such drinking containers are intended for older children - from 7 months;
thermo-drinker. Such devices are suitable for traveling and traveling in hot or cold seasons. Sippy cups resemble a thermos in function, since they consist of double walls that reduce thermal conductivity;
sippy cup with straw. A special straw is inserted into the lid, thanks to which the child draws in the liquid.

Mugs

As soon as the child masters the sippy cup, you should move on to a traditional mug.

But before you teach your baby to drink from a cup, it is important to choose the right utensils that would be convenient and appealing to the smallest user.

Material type

The shelves of children's supermarkets are full of bright and attractive cups for babies.

First of all, you should pay attention to the material used in the manufacture of dishes:

glass. Currently, mugs are made from “reinforced” glass that can survive falls, throws, and targeted tapping on the tabletop. However, they are not suitable for very small children, since they are too heavy for children’s hands;

aluminum. Metal mugs are the least suitable products for children of all ages. A child can get hurt by the dishes or get burned, since such cups conduct heat too well. In addition, they are heavy;

porcelain. These mugs are very attractive and quite light. However, porcelain, like glass, is fragile, so there is always a chance that a child will break the container and get hurt;

plastic. Ideal option for kids. This material is lightweight, attractive in appearance, durable and comfortable.

An important condition is that the container should not emit a specific “aroma” or be overly bright.

Thus, out of several options, you should give preference to a plastic mug

It is only important to make sure that it is made of environmentally friendly material and does not have an unpleasant odor.

Other options

In addition to the material, parents need to consider other points. It will be much more convenient for kids to drink from a cup if you take into account several important characteristics:

volume.
Small children need small containers for drinking, since their stomachs are still quite small. In addition, children will not be able to hold vessels that are too bulky with their weak fingers;
comfort.
Most children like mugs with two holders because they are much easier to grab and hold. However, some babies prefer one-handed cups. Determining which is more convenient can only be done experimentally;
safety.
In addition to the environmentally friendly material, it is necessary to ensure that the children's product is free of various defects, be it cracks, sharp edges, or various irregularities. You should also avoid mugs with removable or glued decorative elements;
attractiveness.
The first mug is a bright and beautiful dish, so you should give preference to really attractive containers that kids will definitely like. You can choose a product with the image of a cartoon character.

Dishes for children are washed with a safe detergent in warm water and then rinsed thoroughly. You should not boil containers, especially if they are made of plastic. Some manufacturers equip mugs and sippy cups with small brushes for cleaning hard-to-reach parts.

How to teach a child to drink from a mug on his own?

So, the necessary container has been purchased, now it is necessary to solve the question of how to teach a child to drink from a cup on his own. This process is not very fast, and misfires are possible, so you should be patient and perform a series of sequential steps.

First of all, you need to hide the bottle so that the baby forgets about it. When he feels thirsty, present him with a cup and let him know that this is now the only way to drink.

If a child absolutely does not want to drink from a cup, you can cheat a little. An unloved drink is poured into a bottle, and delicious juice is poured into a mug. Most likely, the baby will prefer to sip the cup.

Preparation directly for drinking liquid from a mug consists of several steps:

Juice or clean water is poured into the container if it is hot outside. The child wears a bib or apron made of waterproof material. First, you should show your child how you drink from a mug yourself, bringing it to your lips. You can introduce your baby to a cup, but you shouldn’t turn it into just another toy.

It is important that the baby understands that a mug is for drinking... After the preparatory stage comes the first lesson

It is necessary for the baby to understand how to handle the cup:

After the preparatory stage comes the first lesson. It is necessary for the baby to understand how to handle the cup:

The child is shown a mug, then the mother tells him that it contains a very tasty drink.
The cup is brought to the lips and slightly raised so that the child can take a small sip.
Be sure to praise your child for a positive result.
If a child wants to take the mug in his hands, do not refuse this request. On the contrary, parents show how to hold the dishes correctly.
If the child is against the lesson, you should not insist. After some time, the exercise is repeated.

It will be easier to teach your baby to drink from a mug if you offer it each time, rather than returning to the bottle. As a last resort, you can drink from a spoon.

How to teach your baby to use a cup?

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After your baby has learned to use a sippy cup, you can safely move on to mugs.
The skill of drinking without outside help from your own cup is one of the important everyday skills at the next stage of development. At the age of 7-8 months, the child is already ready for the first attempts to learn to drink from a mug.
Before teaching your baby to drink from your cup, let him taste the contents of yours. By holding the mug, you can control the amount of liquid entering the child’s mouth so that the baby does not choke.
To make the learning process more effective and less difficult, parents should familiarize themselves with the following tips:
First of all, the child just needs to be introduced to such an object as a cup. For example, give the baby a mug in his hands and allow him to study it, twist it, twirl it and do various actions with it.
Then you need to clearly explain the purpose of the item, or even better, show it, more than once.
You can let your child try a couple of sips from his own cup. This option will help control the tilt of the mug at the initial stage. This will prevent the baby from choking or wet himself.
When the baby is already confidently drinking from a cup held by an adult, you can move on to trying to do it yourself. To begin with, you should pour just a little water or another drink and offer the baby to freshen up.
The process of learning how to drink from a mug requires the constant presence of an adult, monitoring and correcting all the actions of the baby.
There is no need to worry, much less get angry, if you can’t teach drinking from a mug right away.
It should be understood that from time to time the child will spill the contents of the cup on himself.
In general, parents who are wondering how to teach their child to drink from a mug just need to be patient and understanding. In addition, following the above recommendations, they themselves will feel more confident.
Don't worry if your baby spills a little from the cup. Over time he will learn to hold it correctly

Obstacles

Often children begin to be mischievous and resist. Parents need to be patient and gradually accustom the baby to the sippy cup. During teething, it is advisable to postpone training.

Remember that children tend to push out - this is a reflex. When an unfamiliar object enters the mouth, the tongue pushes it out.

How to teach a child to drink from a straw if he resists? For example, buy a bright, colorful sippy cup. This item will definitely interest the child. During training, place toys next to the baby and pretend that you are giving them something to drink from a sippy cup. Invite your child to teach toys to drink.

The child will not immediately master this skill. Training can go quickly, or it can take 2-3 months. Teaching a child new skills is difficult, just like teaching a child to drink from a straw. At one or one and a half years old it is easier to explain something to him than at 6 months.

Review of popular sippy cup models

Many companies producing children's products include children's dishes in their range. The most popular company is Avent.

This manufacturer offers sippy cups for different age groups.

“Adult cup” is a model intended for children aged one year and older. It does not have spouts or straws to make the task easier for the child, but it is ideal for teaching independent drinking from a mug.
Sippy cup with spout – these cups can be used from 6 months. There are different volumes. The cup has a comfortable spout.
Cup with a straw – this model is also made in several sizes. It is convenient outdoors, on a trip, at the dacha. There is also a thermal cup with a straw specifically for hot drinks.
“Magic Cup” – Avent under this name offers many colors, patterns, and volumes.

The next fairly popular brand that produces children's mugs is Bebe Comfort. The sippy cup is a cup equipped with a soft silicone spout. Designed for children from six months. The cost of Bebe Comfort sippy cups is quite affordable - about 300-400 rubles. However, such a thing is unlikely to be suitable if you want to teach your child to drink from a cup on his own.

The cup from Canpol also has a spout, but it has additional advantages. For example, a special bottom allows you not to worry about the baby accidentally turning the cup over.

Pigeon sippy cups are quite popular among parents. This manufacturer has models with tubes, silicone and plastic spouts. The price is quite high - 500-600 rubles.

Teaching a child to drink from a mug (cup)

The next stage of learning to self-service is drinking from a mug. The training takes place in several stages and can take several days, and sometimes even a month.

It is important not to rush your baby and learn as much as possible about how to teach your child to drink from a mug, and find a method suitable for your baby. Then the skill will take hold much faster

According to Dr. Komarovsky, children get used to drinking from a mug at different ages. Some calmly accept the process at 5 months, others need to wait until 9. But you shouldn’t wait any longer; at one or one and a half years it’s more difficult to teach, babies become stubborn and protest more.

So, start the learning process as follows:

Buy the necessary equipment. For the little ones, an oblong glass of bright color with two handles is suitable. The mug should be plastic and light

Pay attention to the manufacturer and the environmental friendliness of the material. Buy children's dishes in large shopping centers with a big name

Such stores do not sell toxic or low-quality products. Pick the right moment. The child should not be sick or capricious. The teething period is definitely not suitable. The psychological environment at home plays an important role. Give an orientation lesson. Show your child a mug, maybe two. Pour water into it. Tell us why the glass is needed, drink from it yourself. Leave the new object in the baby's hands, let him play and taste it. The next day or a couple of hours later, tie a bib on the baby and pour some water into a mug. Hold the dishes with your hands and let your baby take a sip. Remember that at an early age, infants cannot take several sips at once. Do not hold the glass for too long, otherwise the baby will get scared and choke. Praise your child for his efforts if everything worked out. Allow yourself to hold the dishes and pick up the water. Ignore the puddles and wet chests. Gradually, the child will learn to hold the glass and drink carefully. If you don't succeed the first time, try again daily. Replace water with milk, juice, kefir.

Some more useful tips

You can use a coffee cup from your favorite set as the first cup. These mugs are made of porcelain or glass, so you shouldn’t give them to your baby. Hold the dishes yourself. Make the transition to a cup gradual. First, drink milk from a mug in the morning or evening, then in between meals. Do not remove bottles, pacifiers, or sippy cups during this time. Do not deprive your child of drinks if he refuses adult dishes. It is stupid to wait until the baby is thirsty. You won't achieve anything this way. Take the harsh protest against the mug calmly. Take a couple of weeks off. Forget about the glass for now. Then continue training again. Let your child use the bottle and glass at the same time

It is very important to create a favorable psychological environment. If your baby is used to sucking a bottle of milk before going to bed, don’t take this joy away from him.

But try to use a glass more often during the day. Play with dolls, give your baby dolls tea from toy dishes. Show an example of correct behavior in the game. If the baby is more than 6-8 months old, then he can feed bears, elephants and robots from a mug himself, and you can play along with him. During the tea party, invite your child to join the plastic and plush guests. Gradually give him milk or water from a cup and drink with him.

When to accustom a baby to a sippy cup

A sippy cup can be given from 4-6 months. By the beginning of training, the baby should be able to swallow, sit and hold his head confidently. As a rule, this happens by six months. Until this time, you can drink the baby from a teaspoon. This will help teach the baby to swallow well. Then they switch to sippy cups, and by 9-12 months babies can already be given drinks from a classic mug.

Sometimes children prefer to drink straight from a classic mug, then you can easily do without a special sippy cup. Or you can purchase a standard model with a nozzle with a spout, which can be used as a sippy cup if necessary. And when you remove the nozzle, the product turns into a regular cup.

If the baby refuses both a sippy cup and a mug, and does not accept anything other than a bottle with a nipple, you can give a product with a straw. Then the baby will be able to suck liquid through a straw in the same way as from a bottle.

In any case, pediatricians advise not to delay teaching your child to drink from a cup, otherwise in the future it will be difficult to wean the baby off the bottle. According to experts, by the age of one year, the baby should already confidently hold a mug in his hands and take sips. Now let's look at how to teach a child to drink from a sippy cup.

Sippy cup

When choosing a sippy cup for your baby, pay attention to some features. After all, this is what will allow the child to refuse the bottle without regret and drink liquid from the new container with pleasure.

The sippy cup should not be very large so that it is not difficult for the baby to walk with it. It should be safe - without sharp edges. In addition, the future owner or mistress will certainly like it, so choose bright specimens with your favorite characters. It is best to use sippy cups with silicone spouts, from which it is so pleasant and convenient to draw liquid. Modern models can be presented in the form of thermo-drinkers that retain heat for a long time. This is so relevant during long winter walks.

Before offering the baby a new drinking vessel, tell him that the bottle should be given to the kids, because he is already quite big and should drink from an adult vessel. It is very good if friends or neighbors have a newborn baby. You can tell the baby that the bottle needs to be given to Katyusha, because she is a baby and needs it. This way you can safely switch to a new way of drinking.

The ability to draw liquid from a straw is a simple skill, according to adults. Indeed, drawing juice through a straw is similar to feeding on breast milk. The whole difficulty is to explain this to the child. Be patient - if your baby doesn't succeed, return to training in a month.

Why drink through a straw?

But why teach a child to drink from a straw? From a cup, of course, this is how adults drink. Why from a tube? The fact is that this method of drinking liquid has a number of advantages.

Firstly, it is very convenient, which makes life easier for many parents. Today there are many special sippy cups with straws on sale. They are convenient to use - pour tea or juice for the child and give it to the baby. Under no circumstances will the child be able to open the container, get wet or get dirty. Liquid comes out from there only if you suck it out. This means that the mother can pour water or kefir for the child and go about her business, rather than standing next to the baby, holding a glass until he drinks.
The second advantage of the straw is its prevalence. On a trip, in the city, in a store or in a park, it is difficult to find a glass or mug. In addition, most children, due to their age, do not yet know how to drink from a mug. And the principle of drinking through a straw resembles a pacifier, so children quickly learn to drink this way. Juice with a straw can be found in any stall or store, so if the baby suddenly asks for a drink, there will be no problems with this.
As you know, natural juices are beneficial for a child’s body, but are completely undesirable for small teeth. The tube protects the teeth from exposure to aggressive acids and protects them from destruction.
Many doctors say that when a child drinks through a straw, the same muscles of the tongue that work when speaking are used. Thus, frequent drinking through a straw promotes speech development.

These benefits of using a straw encourage parents to master this skill. They solemnly give a glass with a straw to the baby and are faced with misunderstanding. The kid just doesn’t know what to do with this tube. At best, he puts it in his mouth and simply chews it. How can you explain to your child that the juice from the straw needs to be sucked out?

When and for what?

A baby can master a straw from the very moment he learns to drink from a sippy cup. This is approximately 8–9 months. The advantages will be obvious:

Naturally, the little one drinks on his own, which is convenient for parents;
on a walk, on a trip, in the park, in a store, you can easily quench your fidget’s thirst by buying him juice if you don’t have water with you or accidentally forgot the sippy cup at home;
the straw helps protect the delicate enamel of children's teeth from the effects of acids contained in natural fruit juices;
With this method of drinking, the same muscles that are needed for speaking work. So, by learning to drink through a straw, the little man will strengthen his articulatory apparatus.

Before getting acquainted with a new way of drinking, you can tell your child that bottle nipples go to the smallest children during the day, and your baby, since he is already so big, needs to learn to drink like an adult. Plus, it's very interesting!

Teaching a child to drink from a straw

We have collected for you a lot of tips and recommendations from experienced mothers who managed to teach their children to sip juice, kefir or yogurt from a straw.

Children who are over 9 months old are taught to drink from a straw. By the age of one year, children usually master the skill perfectly.

Place your child at the table. You should not allow him to drink while lying down or while playing - he may choke

Get your baby used to order right away so you don’t complain about puddles and crumbs all over the house. If your child drinks baby juice, gently press down on the soft pack so that a little juice gets into the baby's mouth. He will feel the taste and will try to suck a little more from the pack.

This will allow him to learn to drink with a straw. An example helps some kids. Show how you drink tea or juice through a straw. At the same time, try to be as emotional as possible - show how your cheeks fall in when absorbed, how your chest inflates when liquid is drawn in. This will all help your child master the technique of the process. Most children learn to drink through a straw by imitating their older siblings.

If the baby sucks in liquid with great force, he will not be able to keep up with swallowing it. So he might choke. Keep an eye on your child at first. If the baby chokes several times, it doesn’t matter, a cough will fix everything. However, if the baby chokes after each drink from a straw, you need to pour him yogurt, kefir or jelly instead of juice. The thick consistency will not allow the baby to absorb the liquid very quickly. If the baby is still choking, it may be worth postponing training until better times. If your baby can’t learn to drink from a straw, you can use the following advice. Place the straw in a glass of juice and pinch the top end. Lift the straw and it will contain delicious juice. Ask your child to open his mouth and add a few drops of juice. When the baby gets used to it, you don’t have to ask him to open his mouth, but to stretch out his lips. The child will repeat after you and at this moment you need to insert the tube into his lips. Then the baby will feel the taste of the juice. Next time, do not let go of the hole on the back side, but make an effort to ensure that the child sucks the juice from the straw himself. When he has mastered this technique sufficiently, it will not be difficult for him to sip juice from a pack or glass.

The ability to drink from a straw will push the baby to take a more serious step - using a sippy cup instead of a bottle.

Age of transition to straw

On the Internet you can find not a single article stating that the best time to start teaching a child to drink from a straw is 6 months. Such information is, to say the least, illogical, because a six-month-old child most often does not yet sit independently. You can offer him a straw, and there is a good chance that he will learn to suck from it, but the mother or another adult will have to hold the vessel from which the child will drink. In addition, he will need to sit the baby down, which is still difficult for him. In this case, getting to know a new way of drinking does not make life easier for the mother, while the baby can hold a bottle with a nipple on his own.

A healthy baby with reasonable parents can sit for a long time without support from about 8 months of age. From now on, you can try drinking through a straw. If parents do not pursue the goal of teaching their child this skill, there is nothing wrong with the baby drinking from a bottle for up to a year. Using nipples for feeding, even up to one and a half years, does not in any way affect the bite, the improper formation of which parents are so afraid of.

How to train a sitting child

Attention! Placing a six-month-old baby in pillows, thereby exposing the fragile spine to a vertical load, is a big mistake for inexperienced parents. The longer the baby stays in a horizontal position, crawling on the floor and bed, the healthier his back will be in adulthood.

Therefore, introduction to a straw before 8 months is not advisable.

If an eight-month-old baby refuses to drink through a straw after several attempts, you should not force him. In this case, it is wiser to postpone this issue for a while. Perhaps at the age of 9 months he will be more willing to learn this way of drinking. Nine-month-old babies, unlike eight-month-old babies, can put together a sequence of two actions. That is why at this age it is easier for them to understand how the tube works. Previously, they used one bottle, but now they can consciously combine a vessel and a straw.

If a baby has managed to master this type of sucking before the age of one year, he can be trusted with a hard, wrinkle-free container from which he can drink. But a cardboard box of juice or yogurt is unlikely - it will certainly be crushed, crumpled, and its contents will end up on clothes, furniture and the floor. A baby who is already one year old can be trusted with containers made of non-solid materials. Of course, he will have to be warned several times that there is no need to squeeze the box, which he will soon successfully cope with.

Interesting. For most kids, an empty juice box quickly turns into a toy for developing fine motor skills: children take the straw out of the box every now and then, and then diligently try to insert it back, aiming for the small hole in the lid. These classes can last 10-15 minutes, which every mother will be incredibly happy about.

Display of unopened packaging

At the very beginning, it is necessary to convince the child that the new subject is interesting, otherwise the child’s period of rejection may drag on for a long time.
Having purchased a sippy cup with a straw at a pharmacy or store, you need to review it with your child.

The rustling of the packaging may seem interesting to the baby - you should not deprive him of the pleasure of touching it.

Interest flares up just at this stage and it is very important not to miss the moment, giving the little researcher the opportunity to satisfy his curiosity. If you forbid a child to examine a packaged, empty object, then he will then begin to do this with a filled sippy cup, as a result of which he will simply wet himself

It’s worth doing the same with a box of juice - let the baby examine it from all sides, look at the pictures.

You should also voice your actions. The emotional coloring of mom or dad's voice will help the child correctly perceive the dating process. It is worth remembering about facial expressions, which play the same role in the process of communicating with a child. If the baby sees that the parents are interested in this bright, incomprehensible thing, that they encourage the curiosity of the child himself, he will also definitely want to touch the sippy cup.

If a child categorically refuses to get acquainted with a new subject, there is no need to force him to do it. The best option would be to postpone learning about the sippy cup for a couple of weeks, and then try offering it to your baby again.

When to teach a mug?

You can begin training when the baby already holds objects well in his hands and takes them consciously. The ideal age for teacup training is between 7 and 8 months. At this time, the baby has already tried quite a lot of different products, including liquid ones - compote, juice, herbal tea.

However, many parents offer their baby a cup already at 5-6 months, that is, during the period when complementary feeding begins. You can try giving your child a sippy cup at this age. Even if the baby is unable to use it, he will know what this item is for.

If the baby was breastfed, then it is better not to accustom him to a bottle, but to immediately offer him a mug.

Getting your baby used to breastfeeding

In order to wean a baby to the breast, there must be a close mutual connection between mother and baby. They should have enough time to communicate with each other. The baby in his mother’s arms begins to feel protected, which means he calms down and relaxes. He begins to recognize his mother by smell and tactile sensations. When introducing your baby to breastfeeding, you must adhere to the following rules:

No bottles or pacifiers

If there is a need for additional feeding, it is better to feed from a spoon or syringe. Of course, it is more convenient to do this from a bottle, but then it is very difficult to return to breastfeeding. If the baby is already accustomed to drinking from it, then you can try changing the nipple on it with very small holes to make it more difficult for the baby to suck the formula. Before feeding, you can moisten the nipple with milk, then the baby will instinctively reach for the mother's breast. Getting your baby used to breastfeeding after a bottle just requires patience.

Gentle Perseverance

During this period, mom should be constantly nearby. As soon as the baby begins to want to eat or is simply angry, he should be offered the breast. If he continues to refuse and demand a bottle, you should not show your strength and hold the baby’s head by force. Don't yell at him or shake him. Mom is love and care. You can’t boycott the baby: don’t let him eat and ignore his crying. The baby may become withdrawn, and the problems associated with this will appear at an older age.

Ideal conditions for faster bottle weaning

The baby is used to his mother, calms down when she is near, but stubbornly continues to refuse the breast? To train him, you need to create comfortable conditions. Every mother should choose the most comfortable position for breastfeeding. It’s worth experimenting: lying down, sitting, using a pillow.

It is better to dim the lights and exclude all extraneous sounds. If there is someone else in the house, ask him not to walk nearby or make noise during feeding. If there are physiological problems, then you need to solve them as quickly as possible. To ensure that the cosmetic features of the nipple do not affect breastfeeding, you can use special silicone attachments.

If the problem cannot be solved on your own, you should consult a pediatrician. It will help you figure it out and solve the problem faster. Different methods may work in each individual case. Mom should also listen to her intuition and heart. You need to watch the baby, he himself will tell you what is bothering him.

How to accustom a baby to a sippy cup

It is better to give your child water in a certain place. It would be good if it was a table or high chair. Do not use a sofa or bed for these purposes;
Do not let your child play with the sippy cup. He must understand what the utensil is used for, that it is not a toy;
To ensure that the mug stands well and confidently on the surface, you can place a special rubberized stand under the sippy cup;
We teach the baby to drink first with plain water, then we include natural compotes and juices;
To prevent your baby from getting his clothes dirty, wear an apron, towel or bib;
Show your child by your own example how to hold a sippy cup, how to drink and swallow correctly;
Bring the sippy cup to the baby's mouth and tilt it slightly. Wait for him to take a sip. Keep a close eye on children to prevent them from choking!;
For convenience, while your baby drinks, you can lightly hold the bottom of the mug with your fingers;
For breastfed children, you can lubricate the tip of the spout or tube with breast milk, for bottle-fed children - with formula milk;
Don't shout or swear if your baby doesn't succeed. Moreover, the baby is unlikely to be able to drink the first time. Be patient, calmly explain and show what needs to be done;
Remember that a sippy cup is an optional item for children to use. If the child refuses this product, you can go straight to the cup. But keep in mind that it should be small, light and with comfortable non-slip handles;
Clean the sippy cup regularly to prevent bacteria and dirt from accumulating inside. For washing, it is better to take baby detergents with a natural hypoallergenic composition or regular baking soda;
Rinse the products thoroughly so that there are no soap stains, traces of dirt, drinks or food;
After washing, the dishes are not wiped, but dried naturally. Place the mug upside down on a towel or napkin;
Plastic containers do not need to be sterilized, but the silicone tip can be boiled for two to three minutes.

Say goodbye to the bottle

In theory, everything is simple - we remove all sippy cups with bottles from the child’s field of view and start drinking from a cup. There will be a lot of whims, and maybe even real hysterics. But judging by the experience of mothers, in most cases this technique works perfectly. In a couple of days, the child will forget about sippy cups and completely switch to “real” dishes.

Quite a radical method. And pediatricians say it is more suitable for breastfed babies or those who are no longer supplemented with formula. Otherwise, you can’t do without sippy cups. But in general, after a year, just when it’s time to switch to open mugs, you can remove them from the diet and formula, since there is more and more solid food in the child’s diet.

There is one useful life hack for children from 1.5 years old, if goodbye to sippy cups has been delayed for some reason. Warn your baby in advance that you will soon say goodbye to bottles. Then it will not be a tragedy and a shock for him. You can even come up with some kind of ritual for parting with the bottles - for example, take it to a familiar baby or put it on the windowsill so that “the fairy will take away and leave the treat at night.”

Drinking with a straw

When the child can already cope with a bottle, sippy cup and mug, it remains to figure out how to teach the child to drink from a straw.

The child will be able to drink juice from a straw until he is one year old, but the mother will need to be patient.

Any methods of teaching a child to drink, no matter from a straw, mug or sippy cup, require knowledge of some features that make the learning process itself quick and effective:

a clear demonstration of what the parents are going to teach the child;
a calm and patient attitude throughout the entire learning process;
faith in the strength of your baby and that he will definitely achieve his goal.

Sequence of training

So, the sippy cup has been selected, but what next? First of all, be patient. Don't get annoyed when your baby doesn't succeed. Accustom yourself to a circle according to the scenario below.

Hide your baby's bottle. Of course, at first the little one will be capricious and ask for her back, but very soon he will forget about her. Agree with all household members, as well as with grandmothers, aunts, grandfathers and other relatives who are in contact with the child, so that they do not give the baby a bottle with a pacifier.

Introducing the mug. Show your baby his new thing - a mug. Let him take a good look at the new thing, twirl it in his hands, and try it out. Use it for this game: pour some juice or milk into the sippy cup and tilt it slightly. The liquid should moisten the baby's mouth, but not drench it.

Lead by example. Pour some water into the sippy cup and use your example to show your baby what to do with it, how to hold it, how to drink

After this, give the child a drink, holding the cup with your own hands. It is also very important that your baby constantly watches you drink from a cup. To do this, he can be seated at a common table during lunch.

The little one, seeing that all the adults are drinking on their own, will also want to try it.

Only delicious! Start introducing your child to a mug using only tasty drinks: jelly, fruit drinks, compotes, juices - in general, everything that the baby likes.

No violence!

Do not force your baby to drink if he does not want to, do not force liquid into his mouth.

Training methods to help teach a child to drink from a cup

To teach your baby to drink from a cup, you need to be patient, as this process takes a long time. You should not punish a child for a spilled drink - this can ruin the learning process.

We teach

The following steps must be followed:

Prepare everything you need to drink - fill a cup with a small amount of liquid. Considering that at first the child will spill some liquid on himself, it is better to choose plain water for classes. You cannot give hot or cold liquid, or with gases - it should not cause discomfort in the baby. Protect your child's clothing by wearing a bib or apron. Demonstrate to your baby how to hold a cup and drink from it correctly - take a few sips from your cup, and then place the cup with the drink in front of your baby's mouth. Do not allow your child to use a cup as a toy - the child must understand that the cup is only for drinking

Gently suppress the desire to knock over the cup, roll it on the table - with each attempt, put the cup aside, and then offer it to the baby again. It is important to choose the right time for learning - the child must be in a good mood and thirsty. It is necessary to help the baby - hold the cup and tilt it slightly, helping to drink. There is no need to rush - the right thing to do is to let the child take a sip and take a break

Then the baby will not get tired and will not choke. If the baby managed to drink from a cup, you need to praise it.

Important subtleties and little tricks of the process

It is clear that forcing a child to practice new actions is strictly prohibited.
In addition, it is worth paying attention to the following points:

If the baby categorically refuses to hold the cup on his own, there is no need to insist, but attempts must be made every time.
Children love group activities. This bright and colorful cup is a must-have for giving water to all your baby’s household and favorite toys.
Sometimes children have difficulty fixing the cup to their mouth. You can help them by lightly pressing your lips with your fingers.
Any progress, even the most minimal, should be encouraged with praise and encouragement.

By teaching a child this seemingly simple action, parents solve several problems at once. They do not have to help the little one at every step, the child gains confidence in his own abilities, his fine motor skills are actively developing, which will have a positive effect on the development of coordination and mental abilities.

Forget about the bottle and start drinking consistently

If you don't show the bottle, it will soon be forgotten. If you want to drink some water, you can only give cups or a sippy cup so that the child understands that this is the only way he can drink now.

When hysterical, you should cheat: pour a tasteless drink into a bottle, and your favorite drink into a mug. The child will most likely choose the mug, having learned that the bottle is now in second place. If the trick is successful, the bottle should no longer be shown. You can use it only before bed.

You can serve liquid with a spoon, but feeding with a pacifier at the stage of learning to drink from a cup is prohibited. With consistent training, the results are not long in coming.