Hi everyone! My name is Sarah Johnson, and I’m a pediatric occupational therapist on the infant development team here at Emerge Pediatric Therapy.
Today, I want to share a simple, effective way to help your infant learn the important skill of drinking from an open cup.
1. Why Start with Puree?
When introducing open cup drinking, I often start by using puree instead of water. Puree is thicker and easier for infants to manage, making it a great starting point. The thicker consistency allows infants to practice swallowing more easily because it moves slower in their mouths compared to water.
Key Tips for Success:
- Fill the Cup All the Way
When starting out, always fill the cup to the top. This minimizes how much the infant needs to tip the cup to get the liquid. With a full cup, they’ll only need to make a small tilt to get the puree or liquid. - Provide Support and Guidance
Hold the cup for your infant and guide their hands to help them learn the motion of tipping the cup. They may try to grab the cup on their own, so gently hold their hands and guide the tipping action. This way, they learn the movement without spilling too much or becoming frustrated. - Encourage Good Posture
Proper postural alignment is key when learning open cup drinking. Bring the cup to your infant’s mouth instead of letting them lean forward or backward to reach the cup. This ensures they maintain a proper upright positioning, which supports safe swallowing and prevents them from straining their neck or back.
Progressing to Thinner Liquids:
Once your infant becomes comfortable swallowing puree, you can gradually thin the puree by adding water. Slowly reduce the thickness over time until they are drinking just water. Many infants adapt quickly and are able to handle water after practicing with a puree base.
When to Reach Out for Help:
If you have any questions about your infant’s development or concerns about drinking and swallowing skills, feel free to reach out to us at Emerge Pediatric Therapy. We’re always here to support you and your little one on this exciting journey of growth and development.
Happy sipping!
Sarah Johnson, Pediatric Occupational Therapist