drinking from cup/sippy?

[chel]

dd2 is about to have her 12m check-up.  i was going over the check list and saw that drinking from a cup/sippy is something she should be doing, but isn't.  she's a great nurser, but doesn't take liquid from anything else.

what is the latest that you knew a child to start drinking from something other than a bottle?

[babygirlsmama]

I wouldn't worry about it --  they will drink when they are ready.  I do know from my personal experience and other nursing moms that their nursing babies never used sippy cups at all -- they went straight to open cups or straw cups.  In our case, my daughter got interested in my cup, which was often a sports water bottle, or regular adult drinking glass.  It may be that sippy cups don't make sense to breastfed babies -- they are used to sucking to get their liquid.  I can't remember when she began drinking regularly out of a cup as opposed to just playing, but it was probably around 12 months.

I don't know why that is on the checklist, but it may be more directed to bottle babies, to be sure they are on track to transition from bottle to cup.  Of course, drinking from a cup is a great skill -- but your baby will do it when ready.

Good luck!

Babygirlsmama 

[pbjmama]

I agree this isn't a huge deal. There will always be developmental lists and they are general guidelines, if your child isn't doing some of them it is okay. I gave my kids cups early because they enjoyed them, mostly for playing at the beginning then for a little water. If you want to introduce a cup I really like the ones with straws. The first few times I put a little water in the bottom of the straw and then let it dribble into my child's mouth. After that they just explored until they figured out how to actually suck the liquid up the straw - with lots of spills in between!

[chel]

well my dd has some tongue issues.  i haven't been able to get her to suck on a pacifier or bottle.  so i was just interested in the normal range.

[pbjmama]

Well I would say normal range is most people introduce a cup with solids and if not most introduce by 12 months because they give cows milk. Now, that is different than MDC range! I'm assuming your dd can suck, just doesn't prefer a bottle or paci. Or is there more to it? I'm guessing she nurses, does she suck on her hand, toys?

[JudiAU]

I think most people introduce water in a sippy, straw cup, or cup when they start solids. Most sources suggest that the digestion of solids requires some extra water to process. I always take the valves out of sippys so the water flows more freely.

Are you considered about the skill or the water consumption? I would introduce water if you haven't already; I don't think the sippy/straw/cup method really matters.

[crunchy_mommy]

At that age DS *knew* how to drink from a cup (either open cup or straw) but never actually did... if that makes sense? So I guess I'm confused from your post whether she knows how but just refuses to, or doesn't know how at all. I think DS was about 4mos old when he learned to drink from an open cup, and 8mos old with a straw, but didn't actually drink more than a sip until around 18mos old (same time he started eating more substantial amounts of table food). He never needed to miss a nursing session so he never took bottles or a paci, it just wasn't something we spent time on. He is 2yo & does not know how to drink from a sippy -- we don't use them & my friend offered him one once & he was completely clueless. Hope that helps some... I wouldn't panic about this but it all depends how much opportunity she's had to practice etc.