CUP-FEEDING

Feeding Infants and Toddlers

CUP-FEEDING

You can save yourself a lot of spills by not being in a hurry to introduce the cup. Most babies can't master drinking from a cup independently until around a year of age. Expect a lot of liquid to dribble out the sides of baby's mouth until she learns to form a tight-seal between lip and cup. Try these cup strategies:

Wait until baby is able to sit up and hold an object with both hands before trying cup feedings.
Use a trainer cup that has two easy-to-grasp handles, a tight lid with a small spout, and a weighted bottom on a wide base to prevent tipping.
Market the cup as a toy rather than a feeding utensil. Place an empty cup within grabbing distance of baby. As you drink from your cup, baby is likely to try and mimic you by drinking from her cup.
The less you put in the cup, the less mess there will be to wipe up when it spills. Begin by filling the cup only a quarter-full and increase as baby's cup skills mature.
Offer water, diluted juice, or infant formula in the cup. Water is a good training cup beverage, since it doesn't leave a sticky mess.

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