How do u introduce water?

[Yazzie]

Hi ladies,

I'm trying to introduce my almost 6 months old lo to water, after getting clearance from our pedi. I wanted to give it to him using a sippy cup, but i think the flow is too fast & he can't handle it & this AM he ended up getting his clothes wet. Of course I was feeding him with the cup, he doesn't know how to hold it yet.

I don't want to give it to him in a bottle, so that he learns early on that the cup is for drinking.

Any thoughts?

[Yazzie]

Sorry, but am trying to post before lo wakes up...

Another question, my pedi also said we could start giving lo chamomile or anise, so when do u think would be the best time to give it to him?

Thx,
Adam's Mom

[Roseii]

Not sure about the 2nd question but re the first, I think it purely takes persistance and care with the sippy cup! It is a totally foreign feel to LO's to have a hard spout in their mouths but you are totally right to try and use one. We used a Tommy Tipee sippy from 6m when LO could have tap water and it just took a while to persuade her to use it!
Failing that you could try one of those trainer cups that has a softer spout, like this??

http://www.paydenspharmacy.co.uk/product.asp?sku=30058V

HTH x

[lilisuze]

it took us quite a while to get the hang of the sippy, but i never gave him any in a bottle, because for the same reasons as you i did not want to stick with bottles any longer than necessary. We had most success with the basic tommee tippee one (where theres no valve etc!) til he could do it himself. Now at 14 months, i have valves in nearly all the sippys, as they get chucked on the floor so often.

Persevere with the sippy, or try open cup, if you want to get some water actually in him. We did water drinking only really for practice at this age, so it didnt matter to me that most of the water dribbled back out at the times he actually sucked some!

I would try chamomile in the early evening maybe? or before a nap?

[anna*]

The trick with the sippy is to persevere! Yes there are lots of wet clothes to begin with but they get the hang of it. Not sure what the benefit is of camomile and/or anise?

[Yazzie]

Happy to learn am on he right track.....I bought Avent spouts that go on Avent bottles, but they don't seem to have a valve.. ...will double check when I hit the shops, maybe I got something wrong..!

As with regards to the chamomile/anise, the pedi says it would be a natural means to help with my lo's constipation, he has a bowel movement only every 2 days.. ..& was thinking of giving it to him in the early evening, maybe between his afternoon & night feeds..so yay to me having a brain that still functions..

Cheers,
Adam's Mom

[lilisuze]

avent spouts are great, you can also get the handles that fit to the bottles, so lo can do it himself when he's bigger. some people prefer never to use a valve sippy, others love them, its personal preference, and which type you lo takes too.

[Seona1973]

The avent spouts normally have a clear silicon disc that attaches to the underside of it.  

When your lo poos, is it still soft?  If it is then your lo isnt constipated, they just dont poo every day.  Both my lo's tend to poo every 2-3 days but as it isnt hard and dry then they arent constipated.

Both my lo's got on best with the tommee tippee first cup which has a flip up spout and no valve.  I just used to leave it on the highchair tray and let them fiddle about with it and they eventually started drinking from it by themselves.

http://www.tommeetippee.co.uk/product/first_cup_4_months_pack_of_4/

[lilisuze]

yes seona, thats the one we had! only problem is when they turn it upsidedown it leaks......a lot!

[Yazzie]

Well, his poop is soft , but he has a hard time getting it out & often cries..

Tried the Anise today & he hated it..!..will try chamomile tomorrow.