How to teach your baby how to drink from a straw
Before you start, make sure your child is sitting with their feet flat on a surface below. This means they won’t have to think about stability as they learn.
1. Pipette method
If your baby doesn’t understand how to suck through a straw, the pipette method is a good place to start.
Fill up a cup and place a straw in so it's filled with around three inches of liquid, then place your finger over the top and lift it out of the cup.
Hold your baby’s head with your hand positioned under their jaw and place the bottom of the straw to their lips.
When they accept the straw, very slowly release the suction by removing your finger, letting the liquid drip into baby’s mouth.
As your child gets used to letting the liquid flow into their mouth, start to keep your finger on the top of the straw and keep the suction. This means baby will have to suck to get the liquid they expect.
2. Squeeze trick
On a straw in a cup filled with water, press your fingers together where it is filled with liquid to push the fluid up the straw.
Guide the straw to baby’s mouth and gently squeeze to let a little liquid reach their lips.
Repeat a few times to help them learn what the straw does, until they start trying to suck.
3. Short straw
A short straw is important as your little one won't have to use as much force to draw up liquid. This makes the process less frustrating and shows them the result quicker.
A simple way to teach straw drinking is by filling a small cup with their drink and a shortened straw, then guiding the straw to their mouth.
While they might not suck initially, it will help them get used to the feeling.
It might be useful to use this technique at mealtimes instead of their usual water bottle to help indicate that straw drinking is a way for them to hydrate.
