My 7 month old son will not drink from a bottle, which is admittedly my own fault because in the beginning I was lazy about pumping and didn't give him enough bottles to get him accustomed. So, we've just been breastfeeding without bottles, and since I'm home with him all day I thought it was no big deal. However, I really need teach him how to drink on his own if I ever want to get out of the house. I've got a HS reunion coming up, and it would be nice if my husband & I could go out once by ourselves (we haven't left him with anyone besides us yet). For the past week I've tried reintroducing the bottle and he wants nothing to do with it. Is it too early to teach him how to use a sippy cup? Any suggestions on brands or types of sippy cups that have worked for you in the past? Thanks in advance for your help. :)

I was actually just on a website last night reading about sippy cups. Gerber actually recommends starting them at 6 months. The Gerber Fun Grips Spill-proof Cup is supposed to be spill-proof and easy to sip from so it should be a good one to start with. Hubby and I are getting one this weekend for our 6 month old to see if he likes it.

Actually I started all 3 of my kids on cups at about 3 months with their juice or water. They had no problems with it, sometimes it is easier starting with juice than milk since your child will associate milk with the breast. BTW, all 3 of mine were breast fed and the last 2 never used a bottle either.

Lisa

My son is almost 9 months and has no desire to use a cup. He is not interested in water or juice yet either. I am going to try the Gerber cup one mentioned on this board. Is he too young for a cup?

They are not too young for a cup. Just start off my taking out the stopper thing...that part that makes it so it doesn't drip. It's too hard for them to drink out of with that part in at first. They need to know there's something to get out of there. Once they get the hang of it, you can put that part back in.

Thanks Sem, good advice.

Yes, he doesn't know how to actually suck liquid out of his cup. He puts it to his mouth and just plays with it. Should I put formula in the cup?

Thanks Sem, good advice.

Yes, he doesn't know how to actually suck liquid out of his cup. He puts it to his mouth and just plays with it. Should I put formula in the cup?

I always started with water. He will most likely get it all over himself when he first starts out. I comes out much faster than they are used to when it doesn't have the attachment in it. But like I said, they don't know to suck that hard when the attachment is in, so they don't know there is anything in there. Once they realize there's something to get out of there, then I put that back in and they work to get it out. I left it off for a couple weeks and just gave it to him in the highchair.

Also, they say that they are spill-proof. Not exactly true. I don't let mine crawl around with it on the carpet unless it's just water. Little drops come out. If it's milk or juice in there, those spots show up on the carpet later when dirt attaches to them. You don't see it right away, but you'll soon have a polka-dotted carpet. We shampooed our carpet in our old house many times with our daughters. In this new house, our son is not allowed to have the cup freely on carpet areas. He drinks his cup in the kitchen and some times in the carpet area if he is seated on our lap.

Hubby and I bought our 6 month old a sippy cup today and he LOVES it. Thought I'd tell you what kind.... Nuby twin handle cup with no-spill drinking spout. It has a silicone spout and a cover/lid thingy. It's really nice and it was cheap. It only spills if you shake it upside down and it really only drips a tiny tiny bit. DS has two front teeth so he chews on it which does make it drip down the front of him. It does not have a stopper so you don't have to worry about taking it out and it leaking everywhere.

I always started with water. He will most likely get it all over himself when he first starts out. I comes out much faster than they are used to when it doesn't have the attachment in it. But like I said, they don't know to suck that hard when the attachment is in, so they don't know there is anything in there. Once they realize there's something to get out of there, then I put that back in and they work to get it out. I left it off for a couple weeks and just gave it to him in the highchair.

Also, they say that they are spill-proof. Not exactly true. I don't let mine crawl around with it on the carpet unless it's just water. Little drops come out. If it's milk or juice in there, those spots show up on the carpet later when dirt attaches to them. You don't see it right away, but you'll soon have a polka-dotted carpet. We shampooed our carpet in our old house many times with our daughters. In this new house, our son is not allowed to have the cup freely on carpet areas. He drinks his cup in the kitchen and some times in the carpet area if he is seated on our lap.

Thank you! Even better advice. :D