sippy cup dilemma

Ok, so we started introducing sippy cups to the boys when they were about 6 months old. They are now 10 and 1/2 months old. They understand what the sippy cup is for, they like them, and they know how to use them (for the most part). They have always had a problem lifting the sippy cup (and bottles too, for that matter) high enough to continuously get liquid out after they've take a few drinks and the liquid is no longer close to the lid inside the cup. So, unless you help them raise it up, they will sit there and suck in air until they get frustrated with not getting anything to drink and they throw the sippy cup and don't want anything more to do with it. About 2 months ago, I picked up several different kinds of cups to try, thinking that it might help. I discovered sippy cups with straws. So, we tried it and low and behold, the boys were drinking about 3x's as much liquid than they were before, all by themselves, so, obviously they weren't getting enough to drink before with a normal sippy cup. So here is the dilemma: I took them to the ped for their 9 month well baby and he asked how they were doing with the sippy cup, so I explained about how they couldn't tip the cup up enough to keep getting liquid and told him they were doing well with sippy cups with straws. He told me to stop using the sippy cups with straws because he wanted them to learn how to drink from a regular sippy cup. So, I did and we are back to square one. I am about to say screw the dr. because I want my boys off bottles and I want them to drink what they want from the cup without having to help them. Is anyone else having the same problem? I don't see why it's such a big deal for them to learn how to use a straw now and learn how to use a regular cup later when they can actually understand why they need to tip the cup up more. Do I go back to using the straw sippy cups, or does someone have a good idea of how I can teach them to raise the cup up? Help please!!!!!

 

As someone who got stuck with bottles, keep the straw cups!!! You can always bring back the regular sippy when they are bigger and stronger!! I dont see any reasoning behind that, did he tell you any specific reason?!

 

I wonder WHY they don't want you on straws, but regular sippies. Mine went from regular to straws and they kept tipping the straw sippies up and not getting anything out of them. Maybe there's a reason, but I can't imagine what it is.

They can learn to tip them up. Get sippies with handles and keep showing them. They WILL LEARN IT, they are little sponges. (I would ask why)

 

He said that if they are desperate enough to drink something, they will find a way to drink from the cup, but, I don't want them to get dehydrated all because the dr. wants them on regular sippy cups. They have been using the sippy cups with handles for a long time. I just don't think they are strong enough to do it yet. How frustrating!

 

You know what, my guys were around 11 mos before they even HELD THEIR OWN BOTTLES! So maybe that's why? Yours are younger than that yet.... I think you have time and you should follow your gut. Keep introducing the regular sippies and then give them straws at meals or something. Or make the formula/milk the thing in the spout type sippy and give straws for water (if you do that w/snacks).

I don't know. It doesn't seem to serve a real purpose. So, go with your gut. Maybe someone smarter than I am can shed some light on why..... I don't think they will allow themselves to get dehydrated - for what that's worth!

 

I've never heard that before! My speech therapist says that straw cups are much better for their verbal development (works the mouth muscles) and that normal sippy cups (we use both) are just glorified bottles.

 

I would say its more difficult to drink from a straw than a sippy cup, so they're only ahead right



amanda

 

Give them the straws because they will learn to tip the cups up soon. MY DS didnt grasp that consept till almost 18 months till then he would lay down and drink.

 

I say keep the straws. I would just offer the regular sippy cups like once a day. For my boys, I would lay them down on their backs and give them their sippy cups. Then after a few minutes I would sit them up with them. They are doing good now. I think that helps give them the idea without frusturating them. Just an idea.

 

This is one of those situations where as far as I am concerned, Mom knows best. Do what works for you and your family. They will not be 5 years old and still be unable to lift a cup! They will get it. I am with you, I would rather my child get the nutrition they need and not get all frustrated, than try to build their upper body stregnth when they are 10 months old. They will eventually get it, I would go back to the straws.

Do you know how times I have just smiled and nodded at my pediatrician, and then continued what I was doing? My children are all healthy, safe and right on target.

 

QUOTE(NatalieK @ Aug 13 2007, 07:50 PM) [snapback]367049[/snapback]
I've never heard that before! My speech therapist says that straw cups are much better for their verbal development (works the mouth muscles) and that normal sippy cups (we use both) are just glorified bottles.

A friend's son is in speech therapy & was told use use the straw sippy as well!! I would stick with what works for you. I've never heard of a regular sippy having any "medical" benefit. I thought they were mostly for convenience/mess control. Remember that sippies are a relatively new invention - I can't imagine why a baby would "need" to learn to use a sippy. One think that has surprised me about being a mom is how muchof the pedi's advice falls under "parenting" instead of "health/medical"

 

I would agree with the mom knows best statement.

 

QUOTE(NatalieK @ Aug 13 2007, 03:50 PM) [snapback]367049[/snapback]
I've never heard that before! My speech therapist says that straw cups are much better for their verbal development (works the mouth muscles) and that normal sippy cups (we use both) are just glorified bottles.


I've heard this too. I say go with what works for your kids.

 

give ya a heads up.. first time i forgot the sippy.. my son learnd to drink from a straw.

what do we use now.. as adults.. straws or sippy..

do what you feel is best..

i have never heard of such..

m

 

I say keep the straws. Mine are 16.5 months and still using straw sippies. I do think they'd figure out the tipping now if I tried, but we have straw sippies so that is what we use.

I've heard that it's better for their teeth to use the straw anyways.

 

I am surprised! I have always heard that straws are better for speech development!

 

I agree, Mom knows best. Go with your gut feeling, you know your babies better than your doc and why have them be frustrated and dehydrated? Your the one dealing with them all day NOT your doc, so just 'yes' him to death, nod your head and move on to bigger issues! Unless of course he can offer a real reason as to why they shouldn't use the straws.

 

Thanks for the support! i am definately going to continue using straw sippies. I've also heard that they are better for teeth than drinking without one!
Thanks again!

 

Mine just wouldn't do the regular sippy cups, and I spent a fair amount of money trying different ones. They took right away to the straw sippies. I didn't know there was a benefit to the mouth muscles, so rock on! :banana:

 

QUOTE(first_second_and_last @ Aug 14 2007, 11:52 AM) [snapback]368082[/snapback]
Mine just wouldn't do the regular sippy cups, and I spent a fair amount of money trying different ones. They took right away to the straw sippies. I didn't know there was a benefit to the mouth muscles, so rock on! :banana:



Thank you everyone for the insight on this! I am 15 weeks pregnant with twins....my older boys are 15 & 16 Years old....so things have changed so much...I am going into my registry online and changing it to sippys with straws! You girls are great!


Missy

 

Go with your gut. This is not one of those instances where the doctor knows something you don't.

I think your doctor is under the mistaken assumption that using a traditional sippy will teach them to tip a cup and better bridge the time between using a bottle and using an open cup. However, the tip angle isn't the same, the way they drink isn't the same, and they can't see the liquid as they tip. It doesn't teach them anything but how to drink from a sippy.

FWIW, mine started with straw cups, learned to use an open cup, and THEN learned to use a traditional sippy. They still struggle with tipping the sippy high enough because they know if they tip a regular cup like that they're going to choke and get soaked.