can't quite master the sippy cup

[LeighC]

DS is nearly 10 mths and while he is interested in drinking from his sipper cup, he just can't quite seem to get the hang of the sucking action so nothing comes out for him. I've tried all sorts of demonstrations (much to the amusement of DH) to no avail. He has formula and water from a bottle quite happily and I'm sure there is no issue with not wanting to use the cup, just that he can't get it bless him.

Any ideas?

[the pero clinic]

Dear LeighC,

I am not sure exactly what type of sipper cup you are using, but have you noticed in your demonstrations that it is actually quite difficult to suck from them? Some valved spout cups take a lot of effort – even for adults – so it is no wonder that little ones can find them difficult or frustrating!

Take a look at the cup – does it have a reversible valve that varies the flow to make it a bit easier? Alternatively, there is no reason why you can’t start to help your bub drink from a sipper cup without a valve (just pull it out) or from a small open (regular) cup.

Many of the cups on the market for bubs are great, in that they don’t spill, but they can also be just difficult to drink from. Try to start giving your little boy to easier flowing cups to drink from at home. When you go out, take the no-spill cup to eliminate spills in bags and the car, but take out the valve or take off the lid when it is time to have a drink. Pop-top drink bottles can also be handy for traveling.

the pero clinic