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Posted on 3/15/2020 by Tiny Teeth Pediatric Dentistry |
 Whether you are breastfeeding or using a bottle during the first year of your child's life, at some point you will want to switch to a cup. Most new moms like to breastfeed for as long as they can to get the most benefits for their infant and even when feeding with a bottle, as your baby nears their first year, you will inevitably start thinking of getting rid of the bottle. Sucking can be harmful for tooth development, so when do you switch to a sippy cup? Introduce the Sippy Cup by Baby's First BirthdayThe action of sucking can have a negative effect on dental development for your baby, so the sooner you can introduce them to drinking from a sippy cup, the better. To prevent tooth decay, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends, switching to a sippy cup by the time your child celebrates their first birthday. How to Make the Transition Easier For BabySucking is a soothing experience for babies and taking away their bottle or stopping breastfeeding can be difficult. If you're lucky, your baby will love the sippy cup, but some children are fussier and refuse to try the new item at first. There are things you can do to help them switch to a sippy cup. Explore which sippy cups are popular with parents and ask our staff. Allowing the child to hold a sippy cup as soon as they can, is a good way of transitioning them from the bottle or breast. You can add some water, so they understand they can drink from it because it will take a while for them to make the connection and you can also try putting some formula or breast milk in the sippy cup. Showing the baby how to use the cup is also helpful. If you have more questions about when you should switch to a sippy cup to help with dental development, let us know. |
