When did you start using drinking cups?
From birth, babies are dependent on breastfeeds and pacifiers, but parents can start introducing drinking cups to them as early as four to six months old. Some babies master using a drinking cup quickly, but others may take longer to adjust to this new tool. The time a baby starts using a drinking cup varies from child to child and depends on the child\’s weight, temperament, growth and development. Signs that a child is ready for a drinking cup may include mastery of sitting, hand-eye coordination and the ability to hold a drinking cup in place. Of course, parents can also consult their pediatrician to determine the best time to start using drinking cups for their children.
Cultivating cup drinking skills
The first step to start drinking from a cup is to find the right cup. A suitable drinking cup should fit your child\’s mouth and provide adequate sucking resistance. Normally, pressing the lips of a drinking cup creates negative pressure, allowing the water to flow. The second step is to let the child continuously master the correct position and size, and only give him the opportunity to reach the drinking cup when he can sit up straight. In order to make it easier for children to understand, the wall thickness of children\’s cups should be thin enough to make it easier for them to grasp the appropriate amount of water absorption and sucking intensity.
Try different drinks. Foods with thicker or thicker textures may need a cup with perfect leak-proof performance, while water usually uses a breast milk or powdered milk cup that is light and thin. As your child\’s skills develop, consider using beakers and sippy cups for feeding. Ultimately, a drinking glass with a straw is good for your child\’s mouth and face, and can be used regularly by adults as well.
How to teach children to use a drinking cup?
When teaching children to use a drinking cup, it is important to insist on repeated practice and encouragement. It will take time for your child to get used to drinking water in this new way. First, practice with liquids such as breast milk and milkshakes. Show the child the correct posture for drinking from a cup, encourage the child to keep the upper body straight and the mouth of the cup close to the mouth, and let the child master the strength and position of sucking. Be careful when feeding your child from a drinking cup to avoid falling or spitting it out.
When the child can master the drinking cup, parents can give him more free space to practice, but always maintain supervision and assistance. When children evolve to higher-level straws and beakers, parents should let their children use them as much as possible to speed up the practice.
Warm reminder
Parents need to make psychological preparations and arrangements while their children are learning to use drinking cups. Drinking from a cup does not happen overnight, and it may take a long time for your child to gradually master this skill. Your child\’s safety comes first at all times, so when educating your child on the use of drinking cups, be sure to always pay attention to your child\’s safety.
After children have mastered advanced cup-drinking skills, parents can consider leaving the taste of feeding to their children, allowing them to master the ability to eat and drink independently. Learning how to use a drinking cup is an unforgettable step in a child\’s development, and one that can be made even more wonderful and fun if parents are patient and encouraging.
