Cup Feeding

You can save yourself a lot of spills by not being in a hurry to introduce the cup. Most babies can't master drinking from a cup independently until around a year of age. Expect a lot of liquid to dribble out the sides of baby's mouth until she learns to form a tight-seal between lip and cup. Try these cup strategies:

• Wait until baby is able to sit up and hold an object with both hands before trying cup feedings.
• Use a trainer cup that has two easy-to-grasp handles, a tight lid with a small spout, and a weighted bottom on a wide base to prevent tipping.
• Market the cup as a toy rather than a feeding utensil. Place an empty cup within grabbing distance of baby. As you drink from your cup, baby is likely to try and mimic you by drinking from her cup.
• The less you put in the cup, the less mess there will be to wipe up when it spills. Begin by filling the cup only a quarter-full and increase as baby's cup skills mature.
• Offer water, diluted juice, or infant formula in the cup. Water is a good training cup beverage, since it doesn't leave a sticky mess.