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Xander didn't really get how to use a sippy cup, but eventually figured out how to use a straw cup (Zoli). Originally he'd drink about 1-2 oz of water with a meal, but now at 11 months, he pretty much drinks nothing with meals, so we keep his water cup out with his toys so he can drink throughout the day instead.

Also, in the beginning, he would just let the water dribble out of his mouth too, but he eventually learned how to actually drink it. I think the hardest part is them figuring out how to get the water from the cup into their mouth, so if he knows how to do that, he'll eventually figure out how to actually drink it. So I would just keep offering it to him with his meals, but try not to worry too much if he doesn't drink a lot. Since he's still getting plenty of fluids elsewhere, it's not super crucial for him to drink a lot of water at this point!

They don't NEED the water at this age. I started LO with a straw cup at 5.5 months, it took her about a month to "get it" and now she has about an ounce or two of water with every meal at 8.5 months.

DD only became interested in drinking water with her meals in the last two months (so around 12 months). Before that, she always had a cup and never really drank it. They don't NEED water yet when they're getting milk/formula.

I would try a straw cup. R still doesn't get a sippy cup and can only do a straw cup. At that age I wouldn't worry about how much he is getting, more for him to learn how to use it.

When you say you put your finger on th e straw, did you suck up water first?

I just filled a sippy cup and let him play with it at meal times. I know he's not going to actually drink much from it right now. I'm not worried about his hydration, I just want him to get use to a sippy cup.

My understanding is that offering water is to help prevent constipation with the solid foods. So if poops are fine, I wouldn't worry too much.

I don't think he really needs the water at that age. I agree with @scg00387: just let him try it out. DS LOVED to imitate us, he thought he was such a big boy drinking out of a cup like mama and papa when he was under a year.

We only gave DS water in an open cup or sips out of our water bottles. We ended up never using a sippy at all and he could drink fairly well out of an open cup by 14 months.