Your toddler is growing up fast and if you think it's time to wean them off from their baby bottle, using a sippy cup can help ease the transition. A sippy cup is a training cup that lets your toddler drink from it without spilling, which serves as a great introduction to using cups as your toddler grows older.
Sippy cups usually come with snap-on lids with various spouts that have different flows. It's best to have different spouts on hand to see what your toddler likes or is comfortable with. Here are some tips to help your toddler make the transition to sippy cups from baby bottles:
1. Start slowly: Toddlers need time to be introduced to their sippy cup and it is best to start slowly. Taking them off of their bottle takes time. Instead of taking the baby bottle permanently altogether, start with one feeding daily.
Pop Sugar recommends increasing cup feedings per day if you think your toddler is getting used to using it. Give them some time to master using the sippy cup so they'll be more at ease when they use cups soon.
2. Demonstrate how to use it: The best way for your toddler to use their sippy cup is by exhibiting how to use it. According to Baby Center, you should show your baby how to hold and drink from the sippy cup by tipping it into their mouth and letting them drink from it.
3. Use printed sippy cups: Toddlers are more inclined to use their sippy cup if they come in the form of their favorite characters. Parent Guide notes that there are many designs available in the market that will appeal your baby into using them. It will help them wean off their baby bottles faster.
4. Put a tasty beverage in the sippy cup: You can put milk, fruit juices or something that your toddler really loves drinking. This way, drinking from a sippy cup will be more enjoyable, making the transition much easier for your toddler. If your baby keeps reaching for their baby bottle, Parents recommend watering down the beverage in it or only put water in it.
