formula and sippy cup

Our boys have been drinking water from a sippy cup for many months - since around 7 months, and they drink about 12-16 oz. of water a day. So they definitely know how to use the sippy cup. They are 11 months, so I decided to try and replace their mid-day bottle with formula in a sippy cup spread out over their mid-morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack. They would only have to drink 2-2.5 oz. each time to get what they are getting in that bottle, so I thought, no problem.

Well, I fed them their snack, and then gave them the sippy. I knew they would expect water and would react somewhat. But what they did was just let the formula run out of their mouths. I kept trying off and on for about 15 minutes, and still the same thing - they would drink a little, let it run out, over and over. I measured afterwards with a bottle to see how much they had drank (including what they let run out). It was less than an ounce for each of them. If they had actually DRANK it, I might not be worried, but they let most of it just dribble out.

SO, what do I do? I can't imagine cutting out so much of their intake all at once - I think they will be crazy hungry. Maybe instead of trying to replace the bottle right now, I just need to offer them like 2 oz. at each meal and see what they drink?? With three bottles, Gabe is getting 22 oz. a day and Mike is getting 24, so I they are getting plenty according to the pedi.

And if anyone asks, they can't have cow's milk yet - they are still lactose and soy intolerant.

I appreciate any advice or insight. TIA!!

 

Since you know they CAN drink from the sippy it is more of them just being confused that it is formula and not water. I would honestly just go cold turkey. They will get the picture pretty quick that if they want their formula they need to drink it from the cup. Their intake may go down for a day or two but since they eat solid foods I doubt it will make them that much more hungry.

 

Cold turkey is the way to go! At least it was for us.

 

I read online a few days ago that going cold turkey with sippy cups may make them cranky for a few days and they may not drink much but after a day or two they will realize that this is the only way to get their formula or milk so they just accept it.

We are going through that now and I think I need to just go cold turkey myself instead of giving in with the bottle half the time.

 

Yeah, I think they were very confused....I changed a bit and started giving them water in a straw cup and formula in a regular sippy....that seemed to help the confusion a bit. This morning they each drank about 1.5 oz. with their breakfast. So I think Monday I'm going to do ahead and drop the afternoon bottle and just see what happens. Hopefully it won't get too crazy! (we are a bit busy this weekend, so I want to wait until we are home for a few straight days in case they get nuts on me :laughing