sippy cup

[emmakate'smom]

When is a good time to introduce a sippy cup? And, ( i know this is a dumb question), what do you put in it (milk or water). My lo is 6 1/2 months old, and I have never given her water, does she need water in addition to the breastmilk that she is getting now?
Thanks!

[stasztk]

I have heard that you do not have to give water to breast fed babies. I would offer watered down juices at first, then offer milk (or formula if she is under a year at the time) when you are starting to wean from the breast. 6 months is a pretty good time to try it. Have her try and hold it herself.
A few points to remember, never put a baby to bed with a sippy cup. Don't give cow's milk to babies under a year. And if she refuses it, take it away for a short while (like a few days to a week) Then introduce it again. Don't force her to try it. She'll get the idea if you show her how.
Good luck hope this helps.

[HeatherC]

This is a great time to introduce it.  I started around 6 months, and it took dd a good month before she'd sip from it.  It's such a different feel in their mouth, and it's different to get what's in it out.  I use water, watered down juice, and I've tried putting her formula in it.  However, she won't take the formula in it, I suppose because she doesn't understand because that's "supposed" to come from her bottle.  She doesn't drink much water, just a few sips with lunch and dinner, and if it's hot out and we've been playing.

[jennc123]

My daughter is 6 months and I have just introduced the sippy cup, when she has her solids, I put cool water in it, about 2 ounces and maybe an ice cube because she like s the noise it makes.  she mostly plays with it but is getting the hang of it.  water is good, she is breastfed but water dosen't hurt her and I won't introduce juice for at least a year, my pediatrician backs me up on this, sometimes but rarely i will put expressed breastmilk in it if I have any pumped.  mostly for now its more about hand codination than anyting and she likes to throw it around

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

I agree - now's a great time to start!  It's true that breastfed babies don't NEED water, but it won't hurt them and it's WAY easier to clean up than things like juice or EBM (and you won't feel as awful throwing it down the drain if she doesn't finish it as you would if it was milk you spent ages pumping... :roll: )  I personally see no point in giving juice to small children - it's not as nutritious as eating real fruit when they're old enough and it will just fill them up more.  Also, more than 1 serving of juice a day has been associated with increased incidence in obesity in children.

[Noelle]

This is just what I think...but I never put juice or water in a sippy until after they would take milk from it first.  A lot of times babies will end up taking a sippy but they have a hard time getting them to take milk from it then.