How do I teach my son to drink water when he's never had a bottle?

Kate - posted on 07/14/2010

I just gave my daughter a cup with a straw the other day. She had no idea what to do with it. She has never had a bottle, since I am always with her, I do not pump. But she took to the cup right away. I am going to try a straw again at some point, but for now using a shot glass or a cup is easier.

Rachael - posted on 07/14/2010

Helene, in that case I would definitely try a straw. it makes no sense to give your son a bottle or sippy cup which you would just have to wean from later and the same tongue action he uses to nurse is how he would use a straw. Good luck with his reflux, hope it gets better soon!

Helene - posted on 07/13/2010

Thanks for all your comments. I'm not weaning him off the breast but weaning him into solid food. A paediatrician told me solid food would help his acid reflux which it has. My son has breastmilk first thing in the morning, then breakfast (e.g. baby porridge or mashed fruit), then lunch (e.g. mashed vegetables), then breastmilk mid afternoon, then dinner (e.g. another mashed veg. or baby rice), then breastmilk before bed. I also express breastmilk to use in his food. About 1/2 hour after every meal of solid food I offer him the breast. Mostly to make sure he gets a drink. So I still breastfeed up to 7 times a day. Solid food has helped his reflux a bit. He still vomits but less than he used to. Maybe it was the use of the term weaning that was confusing. I'm not weaning him off the breast completely.

Dawn - posted on 07/13/2010

Get a new pediatrician!!!!! Yours clearly knows nothing about breastfeeding. I would be livid!!!!! You don't have to stop nursing. I nursed until mine were 3. It was the greatest connecting time in our lives. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Just use a small cup for liquids. they will learn how to gulp before using a bottle or sippy cup. Sometimes a straw is an amazing tool. Doesn't take long at all. Good luck. Hang in there. Please for your sake and baby's get a new doc. There are bound to be other conflicts in the way you would both handle difficult situations, and this doc is not the same kind of parent you need the support of.

Heather - posted on 07/13/2010

I had to use a sippy cup at first w/my daughter that was NOT spill proof. I could help her by tipping it up and letting just a little water go into her mouth until she figured out what the cup was for, then transitioned her to sippy cups that are spill proof that she can do on her own.

Good luck!

Rachael - posted on 07/13/2010

I recommend a straw cup instead of a sippie. They make them spill proof (tommee tippie is basked in the UK they sell a good spill proof straw cup)

Drinking from a straw is similar to nursing from the breast and you do not have to worry about weaning from a sippie cup later. Good luck!

Angie - posted on 07/13/2010

Danelle, I think by weaning she means beginning to introduce solids. Many people refer to the introduction to solids as weaning (you are weaning them onto solids, not necessarily weaning off of the breast).

I would try a sippy cup though, it may take him some time to get the hang of it but he will.

Kate - posted on 07/13/2010

I use a shot glass with my daughter. I hold it and she drinks from it. It is small, so if she spills it is not that much, also it is easy for her to put her mouth on it. Curious as to why you are weaning at 20 weeks? I didn't start giving my daughter water until she was around 8 1/2 months..She is still mostly bf, and just has water with solids.

Danelle - posted on 07/13/2010

Why would your ped. recommend weaning him at 6 months? They still need the nurtients from the breast milk. As a formula on baby would still need formula. Sorry i'm just wondering. But you could try a sippy cup My first son would never take a bottle either. We just went straight to a sippy cup. Took a little while to get use to.

Kimberly - posted on 07/13/2010

Sippy cup? They have a slit at a small spout and is probably the next logical step...