My Daughter Won't Use a Sippy Cup.

My daughter was the same way. I saw some already made comments about the no spill straw cups and that's what we use also so I would give that a try. Good luck

Hi R.,
No need to worry. My now six year-old son never used a sippy cup. He was born at 29 weeks, and so we had access to developmental clinics (though his development was just fine except for understanding that he needed to push solids to his gums to eat them), and I spoke to the occupational therapists at the feeding clinic about the fact that he still was not using a sippy cup at 18 months. I asked if I should remove the valves, etc., based on advice I had received from friends. The OTs were actually not at all fans of sippy cups, saying that they provided no new developmental growth over bottles. Instead, they suggested we get those cups with pop-up straws, which our son did just fine with. My son also would not hold his bottle for us, though he would for his nanny. I guess he knew he didn't have to do that for my husband and me to feed him. Children that age are too young to purposefully manipulate, but they do seem to be aware of what they have to do for whom! Anyway, there is no way anyone would ever know now (or could have known even when he was two and a half) that he never used a sippy cup or had any issues whatsoever. If this issue is the only one you are noticing, I would not worry. With holding the bottle, you might want to place your daughter's bottle in front of her when she's particularly hungry (maybe first bottle of the day), not pick it up for her, and see if she will start picking it up.

My daughter was not interested in the sippy cup at that age either. Try offering a cup with a straw. She loved straws for awhile. A straw in water bottle, cup, or juice box worked. She then started using a sippy cup a little later. They all have thier own development schedule. She'll let you be "hands free" soon enough.

I have a little guy in my daycare who never used a sippy. Like another person said, he liked a cup with a flexible straw. Be sure to get one with a screw on lid and a short straw, so she can't open it and doesn't choke on the straw.

In terms of her not holding a bottle herself... she will if you make her do it. I have another little one who can hold his own bottle, but is used to someone doing it for him. When he's thirsty he'll hold it himself, but when he's not that thirsty or is too tired I'll do it for him (still):)

Good luck!

We go as soon as we can in our childcare to using plain cups. Actually, we use glasses - the kind made of real glass - but that isn't for everyone. It sounds like your daughter will do better with the straw cup. I have also seen information recently in which dentists are saying that most sippy cups are actually harmful to the child's mouth and teeth, so perhaps your daughter is a little more 'in tune' with what she needs than you think. I highly recommend that you also do introduce her to a regular cup and begin teaching her how to drink that way without spilling. It takes time and patience, but most kids learn it within a month or two and are so proud of their achievement that it's well worth the effort.

I used the cups with leak proof straws. My boys loved them. Also you can get caps to put on water bottles that make them like sippy cups. I found mine at Babies R Us.

go straight to straw cups

Be patient! My son also did this (including not wanting to hold cup) and I had to try about 5-6 different cups before we found one he liked. Keep offering him a cup but don't push it and she'll come around! My son actually liked a cup with flexible straw best!

Hi! I had the same problem with my daughter. I started introducing sippy cups when she was about 10-11 months old and she had no interest. She would just chew on the spout, like you say. At 12 months, my pediatrician wanted me to go "cold turkey" to the sippy cup and eliminate the bottle. Needless to say, I couldn't do this. I was just very patient with her and I tried about 4 different brands of sippy cups. Finally, at about 13 months, it just sort of "clicked" with her. She still doesn't drink a ton out of them, but at least she knows how to drink now. It can be a slow learning process for alot of babies...just be patient and don't force it. Keep trying once a day and she will eventually get it. Remember, she won't be going to kindergarten still drinking a bottle! This is just another one of those developmental milestones that kids reach at different times.

At 14 months, I still give my daughter 2 bottles a day (wake up and bedtime), and give her the sippy cup with milk or water throughout the day.

Oh, and for what it's worth...I bought tons of fairly expensive sippy cups, and the ones my daughter likes the most are the disposable Gerber Graduates ones (sold in a multipack at the grocery store).

Good luck, and be patient!

My daughter is probably the same age as yours. She's the same way. She REFUSE to use the sippy cup. I tried everything. I asked our pediatrician about that and he said to try another type of sippy cup, let her drink directly from the cup (while you hold it) or spill proof cup with straws. We decided to just let her drink from the cup and she loves it. We tried different types of sippy cup and she still won't go for it. We'll probably buy the spill proof staw eventually. Our pedi recommanded the straw only because it gives the baby more independence.

My daughter was the same way! I gave up on the sippy cup and went straight to a cup with a straw. We use one from Nuby-the flip and sip. I was doubtful at first, but she was able to drink from it and soon would hold it too (prior to holding it, she would just leave it where ever it was and put her mouth on the straw)! I have one for juice and one for milk and they have worked great!

Hi R.-
My nephew was the same way. We discovered, though, that he likes straws. He bypassed the sippy cup and went straight to the no spill straw cup. Try the circo brand- you can get them at target. He also would not hold his bottle, cup, etc. It's funny because he was walking at 11 months but not holding a cup or a bottle. So we tried this straw cup and he loves it. He just started holding his bottle at 12.5 months, but not well, and barely showed interest in a sippy cup at 13.5 months. He feeds himself partially now with his bottle, but when it comes to water and juice, he wants the straw. Try one of those. The sucking action is much more like the bottle and they don't have to tip it up. The start to understand it and then you can introduce the normal sippy and eventually a regular cup.
I hope this helps!