How to Teach a Baby to Use a Straw

Drinking out of straws is recommended by speech therapists as opposed to drinking out of a sippy cup. It allows for proper training of the tongue, which makes articulation of consonants easier for children. Most babies catch on fairly quickly to drinking out of a straw and with very few problems.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Try a straw when baby is around nine months to one year of age. Before this, baby should just drink from a bottle or a breast.

2. Start with juice boxes. These allow for the drink to be squeezed while the baby has the straw in her mouth. Squeezing it makes the juice go up the straw, so baby can understand what exactly it is used for. The only problem with these drinks is, if baby holds it, it will be a huge mess, since she will squeeze it. Make sure an adult is holding the drink at all times.

3. Tell the child to kiss the straw. Since sucking a straw is very similar to kissing, many children are able to drink from a straw after trying to kiss it.

4. Avoid getting frustrated. Getting angry will only lead to baby not wanting to use it, so stay calm and don't push baby to use it too hard.

5. Celebrate small victories. If baby does it right, encourage her to do it again, and praise her for doing it right.

6. Be patient. Learning how to use a straw is not easy for a baby who is used to breast- or bottle-feeding.