How old was your child when you introduced sippy cups, and how did you know he/she

[Ashton's Mommy]

was ready? My son is almost 7 months and took to solids like he knew what he was doing. He hasn't cut any teeth yet. He's been holding his own bottle for about 2 to 3 months now. When I drink a soda, he likes to grab my can with both hands and put it up to his mouth, but I don't let him actually tip it far enough to drink any.

I originally thought that sippy cups weren't introduced until 1 year or older, but now I'm seeing people say their child was taking one sooner. So I'm curious what people's answers are on this. Could my son be ready to try one?

 

[Mrs. Arnold]

I introduced a sippy cup around 7-8 months but she couldnt get the hang of it, so I gave up for a while.

At 11 months we started weening her off her formula and thats when I really started pushing the sippy cup.

The first week or so was really frustrating for me and for her, but she got the hang of it.

I think its good to do it when you start weening cuz it helps them not feel like your taking something away from them, they ask for their "baba" and you say no baba, here's some yummy juice instead. We've been weening her for about 3 weeks now and shes already down to only 1 bottle at night before she goes to bed, so for me this startegy has worked pretty well.

But at 7 months I wouldnt worry about it too much, if he takes it great, if not oh well. Just dont put anything except his formula/breastmilk in the bottle, it could make weening very difficult.

Also I found the "nubby" sippy cups with the rubber instead of plastic was much easier for her to figure out.

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Annies idea about introducing it empty is a really good idea.

 

[This is insanity!]

We nursed, so any time I gave my son something other than boob juice it was in a sippy. We did use a bottle once in a blue moon when he was really tiny, but by 5-6 months we used a sippy. I liked the nuby soft top ones best- with two handles for a tiny baby.

If baby will take a sippy, give him a sippy. Then you know he's ready!

 

[Annie]

I introduced a sippy cup to both my sons at 5 months old. Af first, empty. They used it like a chewing toy. After a week, I added a couple ounces of water anf they figured how to drink it.
I never had a troouble moving them to a bottle because it was introduced early.
Also never gave them anything other than milk in a bottle.

Juice and water was giving on a sippy cup only. He is more than ready to use one. Try one with a rubber spout instead of the hard plastic ones. Gerber makes a great one: http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-Spout-Handle-Spill-Proof/dp/B000GCHN6G

That is the one I used and you can find it at Target, Walmart and most supermarkets.
Good Luck!