Getting rid of the sippy cup?

Question

My 23 month old still uses a sippy cup. I know that this is still okay, but I feel that he should start transitioning to a regular cup for mealtimes. I know that I shouldn't be comparing, but he is the only child in his daycare class that uses a sip cup, except for a 16month old. There are several children younger then he is. I have tried to give him a cup with a very small amount of water in it and he just doesn't get the sipping and swallowing concept. It just spills all over his face and up his nose. He has always been ahead of the game up to this point (started holding and drinking from sip cup at 5 months, walking @ 9mo, talking @15mo, knows ABC's, days of the week, counts to 30) so I am a bit worried that he is having so much trouble drinking from a cup. Does anyone have any ideas? Should I be worried?

Answer 1

I teach a 3 yr old class and some of them still use sippies it is just convient for the moms. I suggest offering juice boxes with straws and small cups with small amounts of liquid even letting him pour  He will be okay and not go to high school with a sippie :)

Answer 2

I advise you to do what i do to a child who i am trying to brek from a bottle.  Keep trying.  Tip the cup up to his mouth and hold it for him while he sips.  Once he gets the general understanding of this, let him hold it himself.  NO matter what you do, DO NOT GIVE UP!  keep trying.  It will not happen over night.  Continue to introduce the cup to him, and one day he'll surprise you and do it himself.  Most child care(the better ones) start teaching children to drink from a cup at two.  So don't flip becasue your child doesn't have the hang of it yet.  It will come to him.  Don't push, but encourage instead!  Prasie him for trying.  Praise is very important.

Answer 3

Drinking out of a cup is supposed to be messy at first. Offer him a regular cup at mealtimes with an inch or less of water or milk in it and then the sippy the rest of the day.

Answer 4

Just keep trying.  My daughter is the same age and just mastered using a regular cup...She still isn't totally careful at times and, like the typical 2 year old, likes to play.  With practice, he will pick it up.  We had to literally show my daughter how to carefully and slowly tip the cup back so that she wouldn't get a face full of water.  Its messy but he will get it.

Answer 5

New things always take time to learn. He'll get there.

At first, maybe try taking the stopper out of the sippy cup. That will allow for a faster flow so he'll have to learn to drink and swallow more quickly.  Also, limit drinking to when he's sitting at the table (in daycare, this is when they are allowed to drink).  Mealtimes and set snack times.  That way, you won't have to allow him to have a sippy cup (unless you're in the car).  

You may want to try letting him drink out of a straw.  It may take a while for him to get it, but that is another option for you.  

As for getting him to drink out of a regular cup, maybe letting him drink a smoothie (or another thicker drink) will help him to get the concept without overwhelming him with lots to drink all at once.  

I'm working on this with my little guy right now, and honestly, I think he'd get it a lot more quickly if I took the time to let him learn.  It's easier to stick with what we know works... but sometimes, we need to just deal with the mess and let them learn something new. :)

Good luck!  And don't worry about his development... it sounds like he's just fine... if not more than fine.  Just be patient with him and help him learn a new big boy trick.

Answer 6

My daughter is 23 months and I haven't even thought about switching yet. I mean she knows how to drink out of a normal cup but their now even 2 yet. Let them be babies. If u feel that he needs to start using a real cup just every time u give him water give it to him in a real cup.. Good Luck

Answer 7

They have unilt about 2 1/2 years old to get rid of at the sippy cup at most daycares but it wouldn't hurt to really start working with him now.  Just let him know it is a big boy thing and he is getting to be such a big boy.