Types of Cups
When transitioning from the bottle it is best to forgo sippy and 360 cups, and go straight to straw and open cups.
The Issue with Sippy Cups
While sippy cups aren’t inherently bad, a prolonged use can cause malocclusion (crooked teeth), dental decay, and muscle imbalances.
Highlights from Jill Savolt, RDH, Myo Therapist
A sippy cup is meant to be used SHORT-TERM as a child transitions from the breast/bottle to an open & straw cup. Children should begin transitioning away from a sippy cup and to an open cup at around 6 months, as this is the time they start to develop the proper muscle functions of the tongue, lips, and throat, and develop their mature swallow.
The reason why you do not want to prolong the use of sippy cups is because the spout teaches incorrect tongue placement. When you swallow, your tongue should RISE to the roof of your mouth and behind your teeth. When you drink from a sippy cup your tongue is forced to DROP underneath the spout and into the floor of the mouth, encouraging all the wrong muscles.
The Issue with 360 Cups
Not only do 360 cups perpetuate biting and suckling, they force the neck and head of the child into extension which puts the airway at risk. They also require over-activation of the top lip and over-use of the jaw to support top lip pressure (Melanie Potock).
First Starting
When first starting the transition to straw cups the Talk Tools Honey Bear is a great tool. It has a squeezable body and flexible straw, allowing you to control the flow of liquid into the child’s mouth; and encourages lip rounding and tongue retraction.
And Then Look For...
Open cups
Non-Valved Straw Cups (or you can trim yourself)
valves are what make cups “spill proof,” but from a jaw development, strengthening, and myofunctional standpoint, they create an abnormal motor pattern. Ideally a child should have a rounded lip and sip with control, not force. Valved straws often cause a child to bite, brace, and then sip with force.
Thin Straws
thin straws are mostly important when first learning to drink through a straw. They bring up a smaller portion of liquid which makes it easier/safer to swallow. Thicker straws can be more difficult to drink out of when it comes to smaller mouths; they can also cause a child to drink too much liquid too quickly lowering their capacity for solids.
Short Straws
a short straw allows the tip of the straw to just reach the tip of the child’s tongue. This allows the tongue tip to reach UP in order to develop a mature swallow pattern.
Hard Straws (if child has a habit of biting/chewing on soft straws)
This is one of my all time favorite toddler cup options (see why HERE)! Or view a full list of babies: 6mo-12mo cups or toddler/preschool age cups.
Types of Milk
Cow Milk
We prefer raw milk for many reasons (read more about raw milk here). However, many are uncomfortable with raw milk or don’t have access. The next best option is 100% grass-fed milk. These dairy cows never eat any grain, and their milk has the next highest nutritional value - especially Omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acids. .
Goat Milk
Compared to cow milk, goat milk forms a smaller, softer, and looser curd in the stomach which makes digestion quicker and easier. The fats in goat milk are also easier to digest, because they are smaller than cow milk fats. Goat milk also contains more gut-supportive prebiotic oligosaccharides, and has superior mineral bioavailability. Goat milk is a great option for all, but especially those suffering from stomach issues, eczema, recurrent ear infections, reflux, and chronic nasal congestion.
If a child suffers from a cow milk protein allergy, ~many~ do completely fine with goat milk since the protein is different (see my post on dairy free formula for more info).
Plant Based:
When looking at plant based milks you want to avoid:
Gums (i.e guar, gellan, xanthan, locust bean gum
Oils (i.e rapeseed oil aka canola oil)
Emulsifiers (sunflower lecithin)
Natural Flavors
Sweetened
“Original” if it’s not also labeled “unsweetened”
(read more details about each of the above HERE)
*plant based milks contain naturally lower levels of calcium than dairy milk (coconut lower than oat & almond), although some plant-based milks are fortified with calcium - but it is artificially added and not as easily absorbed.
Toddlers Who Will Only Drink Milk from a Bottle
Advice from Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP
an amazing feeding expert
1) Limit bottle to one specific time of the day; away from meal times and naps/bedtime.
2) Give two identical STRAW cups at meals. One filled with water and the other filled with chilled milk.
3) Give it time. Child will take a sip of milk periodically to find water. Over time, the sips will turn into intentional drinks.
4) Wean off the one bottle, and continue offering both water and milk with meals.
Toddlers Who Still Want to Take a Bottle to Bed
Advice from Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP
an amazing feeding expert
1) First, establish comfortable straw drinking at mealtimes
2) Gradually reduce all daytime bottles to zero
3) Offer 1/2 the normal bedtime bottle volume along with a story and favorite “stuffie.” After story, quietly brush teeth.
4) Provide a spill proof water cup near the bed/crib
5) Once the above is well established, omit bedtime bottle and begin brushing teeth first; followed by story & stuffie. Show child where the water is and say goodnight.
If needed, reassure periodically that they have their water.
Bonus tip: If child has a favorite character, animal, etc., consider finding a water cup with that theme to engage interest and excitement.
Calcium and Vitamin D
The most quoted reason for milk consumption, especially in children is calcium. Many parents become concerned if their child does not take to milk right away (this is totally normal). Don’t stress! There’s many other foods that offer sources of calcium.
cheese / yogurt / cottage cheese
fish
leafy vegetables
nuts
With Miles I would offer milk at every meal, but it wasn’t until closer to 18 months that he really took to it. However, he ate lots of cheese and yogurt.
Calcium alone isn’t enough.
In order for the body to properly absorb calcium for healthy bones and muscles, we need vitamin D. And according to a 2011 study, 42% of Americans (adults) are deficient in vitamin D.
sunshine
supplements
dairy
fatty fish
eggs
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