Starting the cup

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah, 12-Aug-2011

We’ve started experimenting with a cup. Teaching a baby to drink from a cup (as I’m once again reminded) requires plenty of patience. Since Shamindra has refused the bottle, a cup may be the perfect (or only) alternative for providing an additional way to give him fluids.

Now that Shamindra can sit supported, it is the perfect time to try.

We started with a plastic cup – though unbreakable, it doesn’t work for training because Shamindra was more excited that he could crush and crack it than actually attempt to drink from it.

Next, we ‘re set to try both a one and two-handle cup for better grip as Shamindra continues to explore and discover his most compatible cup.

Of course we will most certainly head the way of the sippy cup. But we’re not starting with one. It is important that baby begins to learn the fine art of sipping from a spoutless cup first before we bring on the sippy. Using both will reduce a baby’s over-dependence on the sippy.

As it has proven, teaching baby to drink from a cup won’t be a neat affair. There’s more water that ends up on his shirt, dripping down his chin than in his mouth. A waterproof bib helps during drinking lessons.

A-sip-at-a-time works best. Only a small amount of water is filled into the cup. I hold the cup to Shamindra’s lips and slowly pour a few drops into his mouth; then take the cup away. He tends to sometimes grab the cup from me; we happily encourage participation.