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Original poster

2.7yo unable to drink from open cup

10 replies

Spaulding · 19/09/2013 16:07

Hi everyone,

My son currently drinks from an insulated sippy type beaker which is non-spill and requires a little sucking to get the water out (it's not free flowing). I've made several attempts to show him how to drink from a small cup with a little bit of water in. He can tip it up okay if I remind him what to do, but he tucks his bottom lip in so the water just spills out of his mouth. It's frustrating because he doesn't drink like this with the sippy beaker.

Can anyone recommend me a free flow beaker that ISN'T non-spill and therefore won't require sucking to get the water out? He needs to get used to drinking from the rim of a cup but he just doesn't seem to get what he's meant to do with his mouth! I had a look at those OXO Training Cups which seemed like the kind of thing I had in mind, but the reviews were quite bad. I'm after something like that really, basically a lidded cup with a hole in the side (unless I resort to giving him a disposable coffee cup to practise with! Grin)

I guess it's not imperative that he learns right now but some other children his age are able to drink from a cup no problem so I feel like it's something I should be focusing on.

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brettgirl2 · 19/09/2013 17:56

the normal, standard tommie tippie. can't you just take the valve out?

Original poster
Spaulding · 19/09/2013 18:08

Afraid not. The spout curves over a little so taking the valve out causes the water to pool outside the lid and spill everywhere. Even I tried taking a swig with the valve out and the water goes everywhere!

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haloflo · 19/09/2013 19:39

Have you tried him on a doidy cup? I've some success using it with my baby but I've heard its good for all ages to use if they struggle with an open cup.

Does he manage at toddler groups when they use the super cheap poundland sippy cups?

bundaberg · 19/09/2013 19:46

i would just carry on as you are.. he'll get it eventually. if you just put a tiny bit of water in at a time it doesn't matter if he spills it.
you could place it on his lip to show him how to do it?

i do think it's important for children to learn to drink from an open cup and it's unusual (ime) for a nearly 3 year old not to be able to.
not sure that free-flow cups will necessarily teach him any better, which is why i'd stick with a regular one!

Original poster
Spaulding · 19/09/2013 21:14

Thanks for your replies!

haloflo I was looking at the Doidy Cup earlier and I must say I was a bit tempted to give it a go! Perhaps I'll order one and see how we get on.

bundaberg I tried placin it to his mouth earlier to show him but he tucks that bottom lip in! It is unusual at his age but was very prem and is very far behind with his milestones. Has only just started saying more than just Mama. Everything else he's been far behind with too. So perhaps I'm pushing him to do it when he's just not able to yet. But he's really come on leaps and bounds in other aspects so I guess I'm just trying to encourage him to keep that up. Maybe I'll buy a few types of cups (seen a few online) and see how we go!

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slightlysoupstained · 19/09/2013 21:17

If you're worried about mess, maybe practice at bathtime? Obv with fresh water from tap rather than bathwater!

confusedofengland · 20/09/2013 09:53

Just keep trying with water & have some dry clothes to hand! Or put an apron/plastic bib on him for when he is drinking. He will get the hang of it eventually Smile

Original poster
Spaulding · 20/09/2013 11:35

slightlysoupstained, practising at bathtime sounds like a genius idea! Why didn't I think of that? Grin

confusedofengland Thanks. I just need more patience I guess. We got through two t-shirts when we tried twice yesterday! I'll keep perservering!

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fretfree · 20/09/2013 20:27

Have you tried the Philips Aventa learn to drink cup? www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-SCF782-03-Learn-Drink/dp/B00BCC88T0/ref=pd_sim_sbs_by_2. It works really well for my 15 month old

Original poster
Spaulding · 27/09/2013 15:04

Just thought I'd update. I went for the OXO Tot Training Cup and I think we've cracked it! So for anyone else in the same predicament, do gives these cups a try (despite the hit and miss reviews). But only fill the cup halfway as too much and the water spills out from the rest of the holes!

I've also been a lot more patient and care free about spills which I think really helped, and heaped praise on him for drinking like a big boy.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to give me advice. Smile

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