Switching from Bottle to Sippy Cup - Gilbert,AZ

I started putting just water in my sons bottle. So if he wanted a bottle all he got was water he was off the bottle in a week.

I got a few transition cups made by Born Free from BabiesRUS. They are great! My son took to them just fine when we switched from the bottle. Its funny how kids will drink certain things out of certain cups. He has a different sippy cup for water and juice and he would not drink milk from those when I tried.

i did that this week with my grandson. he is 17 months. i had to go to all the other houses he stays at his dads, his moms, his other grandmas and trade bottles for sippy cups. i bout two realy nice ones and2 packs of rthe cheaper disposable ones. acutally they can be used over ad over ithink they are callde take alongs form walmart. i put all the bottles in a bag and we took them to the thrift store and he got to carry allhis babas. we gave them to the lady and said bye bye to the babas, wwe came home and put milk in his new sippy cups and hedrank it. he ha soly gotten fussy once ad when ishowed him we didnt haebabas aymor ehe put the sippy cup back in his mouth

I agree cold turkey is the best way to go so you don't send conflicting messages. Put all the bottles in a bag or box in a place that's inconvenient to get to so you're not tempted to get them back out. If she's really throwing a fit, put a little Hershey syrup in the milk (didn't try it myself, but it worked great for one mom I know).

Hi E., My home daycare lady switched my kids from bottle to sippy on their first bday...just cold turkey...happy birthday...here is a sippy cup! there never was a problem. good luck to you!

Put the milk in the sippy cup first when she is still thirsty and hungry. Then give the bottle. Or give the sippy cup while in the high chair and bottle when you want to snuggle. And one more thing. I have a 13 yo and a 10 yo. Not to sound synical but its just a sippy cup... there shouldn't be any trauma involved. It's okay if she's not ready yet no matter what all the books say.

Hi E.,

Being a first time mom can be a bit confusing with all the new things that come up. You will get alot of great advice and suggestions to try to help your wee one transition to a sippy cup. Do what you feel is best. But I'm going to ask a few questions that might make that decision making a bit easier...and hopefully will alleviate some stress for future situations that come up..even if you turn to your village for help and support.

So....why do you feel that your daughter needs to switch to a sippy cup right now? Because that is what you've read, or heard? Do you have judgments or preconceived ideas about what a one year old should be doing?
It seems as your daughter isn't really interested at this time. Could you try introducing the cup in another month or so?
What is the worst that could happen if she doesn't take the sippy cup now...or even in 3 months? What do you think is more traumatizing to your child....making her do something she's not yet ready for or comfortable with, or letting her ease into wanting it on her own? Maybe keep the sippy cup out in view, or let her play with it to get used to the new contraption.
After you've read, heard, learned all that you think you can know about any situation...check with your inner wise mamma to make the best decision.

**As a mom of 4, I can assure you that your daughter won't be traumatized by not drinking from a sippy cup right now:)

Good luck and have enjoy the Graces and the lessons your daughter brings.

In peace,
A.
mom of 4, Birth and Parenting Mentor
www.birthingfromwithin.com

I worked in childcare and this was a frequent problem. The best thing you can do is to only give her milk in her cup. You have to eliminate the bottle because she knows that if she refuses the cup she'll get her bottle. Obviously, don't eliminate any bottles that provide a large amount of her food...try eliminating bottles that are served with her food vs served alone. She will learn that she needs to drink it from the cup or get nothing. Good luck!

She may simply not like the milk. And that's okay! My son (and husband (still) and myself as a child) all do not like to drink milk. So we just drink a lot of water and some juice and just made sure he got his dairy in other ways other than milk (yogurt is a fave, cheese, milk in smoothies, as well as other foods high in calcium like spinach, etc)

Just because so many people like milk doesnt mean it is a "must" (and likewise just because many little ones seem to be allergic or lactose intolerant or whatever, doesn't mean you must subsitute regular milk for other types of milk either!) Don't overdo it on any one type of drink or food. Water is the BEST thing for your child, and if that's what she wants, give it to her! My son will now drink half a cup of choc milk but still does not choose to drink milk, which I am fine with, since he would eat several yogurts a day if he could!

What did people in the olden days do - they didnt drink milk all the time. They had milk, to be sure, but not as a "whenever you're thirsty, this is what you get to drink in your bottle"

I would recommend that you just be patient and keep trying. I agree with Alyssa that if it is just for a "snack", don't let her have her bottle. She will catch on pretty quickly because she will want her milk. Good Luck!

Hi E.

You might want to try this. Try and put to sippy cups one with milk and one with water. Or maybe you your baby might want just a cup with out the lid. Oh also try and put her, her own milk not the 1% just for awhile until she gets used to it.

cindy

When it was time for my son to be done with a bottle I just put all the bottles away and only gave him a sippy cup. When he didn't have a choice, he didn't care. It only took about a day for him to forget about it. It worked the same way with a pacifier. I threw it away and when it was out of sight it was out of mind.

You are doing it at the right age, she will forget about it soon.

Have you seen those nuby sippy cups? They have a soft top and don't have those anoying plastic flow devices to worry about. She might like something that doesn't have a hard plastic mouth piece.

OK, I knew I was supposed to get my kids off the bottle at one, but they both lasted until about 16 months. They were introduced to sippy cups with mostly just water during the day, but got bottles before nap and bedtime. When the bottle didn't seem to "do the trick" like it used to, with soothing and sleeping, I went cold turkey with very few problems. The day my son bumped his head and immediately started asking for "Bot!" I knew it was time to give it up.

E., try putting only water in her bottle. Use her sippy cup for anything flavored, like milk, diluted juice, etc. Stick to it. It won't take long for her to get the idea. It worked fabulously with my 15 month old when we switched him. Good luck!

I have to agree with the other 'Mamas' that said it too...You need to replace the bottles with the sippy if you are wanting to switch. I too have seen success with the Nuby brand (softer nipple/similar to the bottle).

I like best what [Grandma] Josie had to say about getting her grandson involved. That will definately help the transition. Do something fun & charitable...perfect time of the year to do it too! And it gives a wonderful opportunity to instill a valuable lesson...giving to those who need it most.

And do NOT give in sweety!
Sometimes those little ones can have a stronger will than us at times.
Stick to your guns!

The best to you & yours!
~D.

E., try the Nuby sports grip sippy cup. They are almost like a bottle, so my son had no issues at all swithching over. Good Luck!