Sippy cups

I've been reading that 6 months is the best time to introduce sippy cups (tomorrow is 6 months!!) and I was wondering if anyone has advice on how to start them. I've let them hold it, Peyton loves to hold it (empty) and even brings to his mouth. Austin likes to throw it. Also what do you put in it for the first time??
Any advice would be appreciated...
Shannon

 

I just put water in them at first, but you can do diluted juice too. They always had them on their trays at meals and i usually kept them out and accessible during the day. At first, they would really just play/chew on them, but they will get it eventually. You are starting early, so no rush. Dd figured it out quickly, but ds just mastered it about a month ago, and he is well over a year....

 

I put in a few ounces of cold water and let the girls chew on and play with the sippy cups. I also leaned them back on a pillow and tipped the cup up so they would get the idea to suck on the cups. We did the same thing every day for a few weeks and they caught right on. I don't let them use the sippy cups as toys, so when it's obvious that they're done drinking I now remove the cups and bring them back out later.

 

Someone in our playgroup had a pedi that recommended the First Years Take N Toss cups. They have no valve so the liquid drips out. I found these easiest because they didn't need to figure out to suck from them in the beginning. I only gave my girls water in theirs.

Emma had a hard time figuring them out so if she lifted it to her mouth I would praise her, but I would also squeeze the cup a little so she got a good bit of liquid. It made her realize there was something to drink.

 

Well I tried sippy cups last night and they were a hit!! (Diluted apple juice) Austin ate about 1 1/2 ounces and Peyton about 1/2 ounce. (He took longer to figure it out and got frustrated) Austin figured out right away to hold the sides and within seconds how to suck on it!!!!! The only problem he had was lifting it so the juice actually came out. I just helped him tip it. Peyton refused to hold it, wanted to play with it, but eventually did grasp the handles and suck.
We're gonna keep trying it until they get it!! lol


Quick question though, how old were all of your babes before they started holding their own bottles? Mine show interest but only for a few seconds. Another mom was shocked today that they don't. Apparently HERS was from 4 months.
TIA
Shannon

 

We tried diluted juice the first couple of times. Then we went to juice. Sometimes water. Have fun!

 

Used Nuk sippys at 6 months exactly. Filled with water in case of a mess and was amazed they figured it out immediately. (Then one figured out how to play with it) Now I got to supervise.