J.C. asks from Lake Orion, MI on August 21, 2007
Sippy Cup or Bottle
Hello,
I would like to get my 8 month old son to learn how to use a sippy cup or bottle. Since he has been strictly breastfeed for 8 months, I really haven't been able to leave his side for more than a few hours, which sometimes makes errands difficult. For the past few weeks, I have tried to give him water and juice in both and he seems to be interested in playing with them, but not drinking from them. The doctor said at 6 months to start offering 6 ounces of water and 4 ounces of juice per day, but I have not been successful getting him to take more than a few drops from either. So, does anyone have any suggestions on how to get him used to the sippy cup or bottle, and which one is better to teach him? Thanks for the help!
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B.W. answers from Grand Rapids on August 24, 2007
I would go for the sippy cup, why start the bottle if you don't have to. Most kids are ready around 5-6 months for the sippy.
Good luck.
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R. answers from Detroit on August 22, 2007
First of all congrats for breastfeeding, trust me I know exactly what you mean I nursed all four of my kids. Each one was a different experience #3 nursed until he was almost 2.
What has worked for me is letting someone else give him/her the bottle/cup trust me if they are hungry they will drink. Also, if you can get the person to try giving them the bottle/cup before your child gets to agitated. I did pump, so there was breast milk when I was away. Each child is different one of mine went straight to cup another went to bottle then sippy cup-depends but you'll know what they can handle. Much success J. and be encouraged. R.
J.C. answers from Detroit on August 22, 2007
If he hasn't had any experience with the cup before, it's a big transition. Try having your husband or someone else he's comfortable with giving him bottles, but make sure you're not around (he'll just want you). I nursed for 9 and a half months as well, but worked part time. So, my son got bottles of breast milk a few times a week. We offered cups at mealtimes, but he just played with them at first. Try taking out the sippy valve at first, since he may not understand he has to suck it. It will be messy, but it will help him to understand what's in there! My son is 21 months and still gets bottles at naptime and bedtime. The rest of the day he uses a cup. (He still won't take milk from a cup though!) Don't worry, it's ok to use both!
H.S. answers from Detroit on August 26, 2007
Don't worry, your son will get the hang of it ... my son was 15 months old before he started using sippy cups and only after I refused to give him bottles any more. .. I had to buy one with a flexible nipple though until he got used to it ... as for the bottle/sippy cup debate, I would personally try to get him to take both ... sometimes the breast/bottle transition is easier ... but don't worry if it takes him awhile before he'll take a sippy cup, according to my kids' doctor, they usually take the cup around a year old.
J.S. answers from Detroit on August 23, 2007
My son had the same problem. I used the sippy cup brand N^uby. They have tops that are really soft and easy for babys and tots to learn how to use.
Good Luck!
J.D. answers from Detroit on August 23, 2007
Both of my children were bottle fed with formula until they were 12 months. At that time, they went straight to whole milk with a sippy cup and took to it just fine. My advice to you is to try the sippy cup and if he takes to it, that would be great! You don't want to start him on bottles and then be stuck trying to get him off of those since that can be very hard for some babies. Try to avoid that altogether. Good luck!!!
L.B. answers from Detroit on August 23, 2007
Hi J. - I'm going through the same thing right now w/my 8 mos old daughter. Personally, I think it all depends on which type of sippy cup you use. When my son was that age, it was all trial and error. We tried every brand and type of sippy cup!! Then, we discovered the "Nuby" sippy cup. (I found them at Meijer & Walmart, and only $1.25 each!) This cup is the closet thing to a bottle, so its the BEST transition from bottle (or breast) to cup b/c the nipple is so similar. My son did great on it, and now my daughter is taking very well to it also. When she is in her high chair, after a meal, I give her a cup w/a little water and she does great with it! Juice is a treat, I only give that to her every once in awhile. Good luck!!! And have fun with your little one :)
T.R. answers from Kalamazoo on August 22, 2007
Both of my kids went straight to a sippy neither one of them ever took a bottle and they were both breastfeed exclusively for 12-13 months. I put everything from breast milk, formula, juice, and H2O in it. I agree with one of the other moms to take out the plug at first until he gets it then put it back in, messy!! Maybe your husband can introduce it to him while you are gone, if he smells breast milk I am sure that is what he would rather have. I actually thought it was easier to go straight to sippies because I never had to break either of them of the bottle and I had a lot of friends that had a hard time with it. Good luck!!
A.M. answers from Grand Rapids on August 23, 2007
to get my daughter to take a sippy i went to the dollar store and bought a pack of their sippys because the holes are a lot bigger and she didnt have to suck very hard to get the water out. also, if you want to avoid the whole juice thing (i did) just give water. they dont need juice and if you give water they will want water. my daughter is 14 months now and she loves water, she doesnt even want juice if i do give it to her. anyway, back to the sippy, after she got used to the dollar store ones i moved her on to the normal "no spill" sippys and she took right to it.
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