FAQ: When should I introduce the sippy cup?

Have you just started solids? Are you wondering when to introduce the sippy cup?
Sometimes, the answer to your problem is over a coffee with a friend, posting the question in an online mother’s group, or secret forum. A fellow mummy with experience can often provide that little bit of wisdom, the glimmer of hope that you have been looking for or at the very least, a new idea to try.

We certainly don’t have all the answers. So these FAQ blog posts are to be seen like this…  if our closest friends were to ask our advice, these would be our answers. But don’t let it stop with us, If you have an idea that might help others, we would love to hear it. Leave a comment after this post, or join our Facebook page to talk to other parents.

This reader question was featured in the One Handed Cooks Magazine Issue #2. Yep, you can buy it online while stocks last here. For more great recipe ideas pick up the latest mag today in Coles and all good Newsagents. 

Question: When should my baby start to drink from a cup? Angela, QLD.

Answer: Hi Angela, it’s recommended parents introduce a sippy cup of water at the time of starting solids, around 6 months of age.  This helps to teach babies the skill of drinking from a cup.  They already know how to suck, so learning how to sip is an important milestone. If you are exclusively breastfeeding it is OK to wean directly to a cup rather than offer water via a bottle. Choose a cup without an anti-leak valve or at least one with a removable valve that allows children to sip rather than suck. You can also begin to practise with an open cup from an early age at times when you are not worried about spillages. By around 12 months of age babies should be able to sip from a normal cup, with some assistance.  It is important to remember to keep the cup for water and milk only.  Avoid filling your child’s cup with sugary fluids such as juices, soft drinks, sports drinks and cordials that can reduce their appetite for food and contribute to dental caries and childhood obesity. – OHCs x

STARTING SOLIDS: Do you know anyone who is about to start their baby on solids? Or perhaps you’re after some new puree and finger food ideas for your own baby? Our e-Book is full of recipe’s, nutrition advice and forming positive food associations right from the first mouthful to help you and your baby through any fussy eating phases in the future. Check it out here.

Other FAQ’s:

• Please help! My baby is refusing my homemade baby food
• Nutritious Breakfast Finger Food Ideas
• What to Cook the Kids on Holidays
• How many serves of fruit does my child need?
• Grazing Vs Three Meals Per Day 
• Help My Toddler is Throwing Food

Don’t forget to read our disclaimer.  If you have any specific questions or concerns regarding the nutritional adequacy of your child’s diet or their health and wellbeing please consult a medical practitioner or an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) for individualised advice.