Welcome, new parents! Are you eager to get your sweet baby drinking from a straw? You've come to the right place. It's time to start training that tiny human to slurp away like an expert. Teaching your child how to drink from a straw may seem daunting at first, so we’re here with some helpful tips and tricks for making the process run as smoothly as possible. Turn your little one into a sipping champ in no time – let’s get started!
Introduce the idea of straw drinking slowly and calmly, without forcing it on baby
First things first, it's totally okay if your baby isn't into it right away. Just like with anything new, it might take a little time for them to warm up to the idea. So, don't stress if your little one spits the straw out or gives you a look like you've lost your mind. Keep introducing the concept slowly and calmly, without forcing it on them. And hey, if all else fails, maybe you can show them your own impressive straw skills by sipping your drink in front of them. Who knows, maybe they'll be impressed enough to give it a try themselves!
Keep the straw size small to make sure it doesn't overwhelm baby or get stuck in their throat
We know how overwhelming it could be to start on the baby journey, and picking the right straw size might seem trivial. But trust us when we say that keeping the straw size small will make a big impact. Not only will it prevent your little one from feeling overwhelmed, but it'll also ensure that there's no chance of it getting stuck in their tiny throats. Because let's face it, nobody wants to play the role of saving a choking baby! So sip smart, and stick to small straws. Happy sipping, baby and all!"
Let baby explore the straw and its texture before introducing it to their drink
Ah, the straw - it's one of those simple inventions that we tend to take for granted. But for babies, it's a whole new world of texture exploration! Before introducing your little one to the wonderful world of straw-sipping, give them some time to play around with it and feel its texture. Let them observe how it bends and springs back, and maybe even play a game of "puffing" air through it. Who knows, you might have a future astrophysicist on your hands with all that experimentation! So go ahead, let baby have a blast with the straw and see where their curiosity takes them.
Try out different flavors and use a fun cup to get baby more excited about drinking from a straw
Drinking from a straw may seem like a small milestone for your little one, but it can be exciting! To make it even more thrilling, why not switch things up with different flavors? Try out some yummy fruit juices or smoothies in a fun cup with a silly straw to get your baby giggling and eager to drink up. Adding a little flavor and whimsy to their straw experience can make all the difference in getting them to build this important skill. Plus, it's a cute photo opportunity to capture their delightful reactions!
Bottles with straws
It would be easiest to get your little one a bottle that has a straw, like a sippy cup or straw cups with a straw attached. We've got the best sippy cups for you that we've found, let us know if you think these would be the ideal cup to teach straw drinking. They are easier as the straw won't move around the cup, fall out and get dirty on the floor. An open cup will no doubt end in spillages.
Hw about the Munchkin weighted straw cup, this is a great one. Easy to use but not big and bulky for those little hands to grasp
Laura Robinson
Use positive reinforcement when teaching them how to use the straw correctly
First things first, yay to you for being an awesome parent! Now, let's get into some tips on how to make the process a breeze. One thing that works wonders is using positive reinforcement. When your little bundle of joy takes a sip from the straw correctly, give them a high five or a "good job!" in your most enthusiastic voice.
Trust me, they'll love the positive attention and will want to do it again and again. And hey, if they don't get it right the first time, don't fret - just keep trying and keep the positivity flowing! You got this, parents!
Give your baby time to practice - be patient as they learn
Ah, the joys of parenthood! As a new parent, it can be tempting to want your little one to reach every milestone like they're racing for the gold. But let's be real, they're just not going to be sprinting out of the womb ready to run marathons.
Your baby needs time to practice and learn. So, be patient with them as they develop their skills! It's okay if they don't get it right on the first try (or the second or third). Just give them time to practice, and support them along the way. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was your baby's ability to walk or talk. Cheers to all the new parents out there! We're all in this together.
So let's recap!
Do:
- Have the baby sitting firmly in a chair
- Use a regular straw or thicker, a skinny straw is harder to use
- Start with water, as it may get wasted, spat out and messy
- Try using breast milk too
- Use a closed cup, open cups are harder to use
- Sippy cups are best
Don't:
- Have them walking around holding the cup/bottle
- Use a thinner straw, too difficult for a baby's mouth
- Use a fashioned straw, or fancy shape, keep is simple
- Use a thicker liquid
- Make sure no solid foods are in their mouth
- Get frustrated (yeah right), a few sips is fine
So, What's Your Straw Strategy?
When teaching babies to drink from a straw, it's important to remember that you have to be patient and caring. Don't get frustrated or overwhelmed if it takes a few tries for your little one to learn the technique!
Allow them plenty of time to practice and explore the straw with their hands before introducing it to their drink. Give rewards and positive reinforcement when they finally master this important milestone – you'll both feel so proud!
And when all else fails, return back to the basics: small straws, lots of practice, and fun flavors can make all the difference.
Happy learning!
More Development Fun Reads
Laura Robinson
Laura Robinson
Laura Robinson
Teaching a baby to drink from a straw FAQS
Toying with the idea of giving them a straw, or maybe you've started already. Here's some more tips to help you out.
At what age should I start teaching my baby to drink from a straw?
Most babies can start learning to drink from a straw between 9 to 15 months of age. However, every baby is different and may develop this skill at their own pace.
Is drinking from a straw beneficial for my baby's development?
Yes, learning to drink from a straw can help with oral motor development, which aids in speech and feeding skills.
My baby is struggling with a regular straw. What should I do?
Try using a straw with a smaller diameter or a straw that is flexible. Patience is key - give your baby plenty of opportunities to practice with different types of straws until they find one they're comfortable with. Spill straw cups require a little technique but they soon figure it out!
How can I encourage my baby to drink from a straw?
You can make the process fun and exciting for them to help a baby drink. Use different flavored drinks or a colorful cup. Remember to praise them when they successfully drink from a straw.
Should I completely replace the bottle with a straw?
It's not necessary to completely replace the bottle at first. You can introduce straw drinking as a new, fun activity. Eventually, as your baby becomes more comfortable drinking from a straw, they'll naturally start to prefer it over the bottle.
