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You want to teach your child to drink from a straw, but they seem to be struggling a bit with a regular straw.
If this is the case, your child may just need some more time or you could try a honey bear straw cup (take look at it here.)
As a developmental therapist who works in early intervention, this has been one of my favorite cups to use with little ones to introduce straw drinking.
In this blog post, I will guide you through everything you need to know about how to use the honey bear straw cup, so you can introduce it to your child with ease and confidence.
What age is the Honey Bear Cup for?
This is a great cup to use when you are starting to feed your child solids and they are ready to learn how to drink from a cup.
Talking to your pediatrician about your child’s transition to drinking from a cup may be helpful as well as each child follows their own timeline.
Choosing the Honey Bear Straw Cup
Why would you want to use a honey bear cup with your child?
This is a great choice of straw cup for any child, but I especially like it for kiddos who seem to struggle with figuring out how to drink from a straw.
The reason why I like it is because you can squeeze the honey bear’s tummy which will make the liquid come up almost to the top, making it easier for your child to get their drink out!
Let’s dive into the details of how to use this fun cup!
Preparing the Cup for Use
Before using the Honey Bear Straw Cup, it’s essential to clean it thoroughly and follow the manufactures instructions.
You can wash the cup and the straw in warm soapy water and use a bottle brush or a small brush to clean the inside of the straw.
Make sure to rinse everything thoroughly and let it dry completely before using it.
How to Use Honey Bear Straw Cup with Your Little One
When presenting the Honey Bar Straw Cup to your child you will want to model how to use it first.
I love that these come in multi-packs so you can actually model it for your child first without having to actually share the cup and pass germs!
Demonstrate how to use the straw by sipping some water or milk from it and offering the cup to your little one.
As I mentioned earlier this cup can be a game-changer if your little one is struggling with straw drinking.
When you gently squeeze the tummy it brings that liquid almost all the way to the top so your little ones don’t have to do as much work to get it out, yet they are able to start to understand that sucking on the cup will give them a drink.
Be patient and let them learn at their own pace, and don’t force them to use the straw if they aren’t ready.
Using and Maintaining the Cup
Once your child is comfortable using the Honey Bear Straw Cup, make it a regular part of their mealtime routine.
Encourage them to drink from it frequently and monitor the straw’s cleanliness, replacing it if you notice any signs of wear or tear.
It also comes with some extra lids and straws which can be very helpful!
Have Fun With Teaching Your Little One Cup Drinking!
Introducing the Honey Bear Straw Cup to your toddler can be a game-changer in your mealtime routine.
Remember to clean it thoroughly before use and encourage your little one to explore and learn at their own pace.
With a little patience, your toddler can turn drinking water or juice from the Honey Bear Straw Cup into a fun and enjoyable activity.
Give it a try, and watch your little one sip and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
The Honey Bear Straw Cup is a straw cup that comes in the shape of a honey bear.
It features an easy-to-use squeeze feature that helps your little one get their drink out without having to suck too hard on the straw.
The liquid will come up almost to the top, making it easier for your child to get their drink
You should always clean the Honey Bear Straw Cup before using it and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
You can wash the cup and the straw in warm soapy water and use a bottle brush or a small brush to clean the inside of the straw.
Make sure to rinse everything thoroughly and let it dry completely before using it.
Yes! If your baby is starting to eat solid foods you can introduce an open cup or straw cup during mealtimes.
Using an open cup or a straw cup can be a great alternative to a sippy cup.
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Kayla O’Neill has a master’s degree in education as well as a bachelor’s degree in special education with an emphasis in early childhood education. She has been working as a developmental therapist with babies and toddlers in early intervention since 2012. She is also a mom with two young children.