Going from Bottle to Sippy Cup

Hi again.... I have another mommy with a question on how to switch to a sippy cup! Hope you guys can help her out! Have a good Thursday!

I need some advice on switching my daughter to a sippy cup from the bottle. We have gotten the Nuby ones, but she still won’t take them. Thanks!Stacie

I would suggest using a sippy cup with a silicone lid first. These are most like a bottle. I started by daughter on one at 6 months and by 9months she had the hang of it. Carmen

Hi Stacie. How old is your daughter? I would suggest just taking your time with this move. Their bottle is a security more than anything. I tired taking my daughter off her sippy cup just cold turkey and one day the sitter called me at work and asked me to bring a bottle. My daughter was apparently just beside herself. Maybe start by just having the sippy cup for lunch. If she doesn't drink, she just doesn't drink. Eventually thirst will win out over hard headedness and she will figure it out. Maybe you could just have one out all day with water or juice in it. If she is in a good mood and playing, she may pick it up and figure it out on her own. If the juice in there is really good, she will keep sipping. I hope this helps! Cindy

This is in response the sippy cup question -- I have a 10 month old daughter and our pediatrician told us to take our time with the transition from bottle to cup and to start by offering water in a sippy cup in the afternoons. She said that it is alright if my daughter plays around with it and gets the hang of it gradually. The pediatrician was not a big fan of the abrupt switch and said that some babies take longer than others to get comfortable with a cup. Don't stress out! TGIF, Moms!

Hi :)! You've gotten some great suggestions so far! You may want to try a "sippy" with a "pop up" straw if the others don't work out for you. Try not to stress. I promise your little one will be off of the bottle before you know it! They grow up so quickly!

Anger/Hitting/Throwing

Hi Ladies! Here is another really great question for you mommies! Thanks again to everyone for reading!!

could you post a blog asking for advice about how other moms have dealt with the anger/hitting/throwing issue???i have tried reading magazines and doing internet research, but they don't really give good, realistic advice...i'd love to hear what some other moms have to say about the subject.

Hello, Mommy. I am interested in your post, I too have a child that went through quite a stage with hitting and throwing. I am unsure how old your child is or what your view is on discipline, but I will tell you what worked for us:
My son was about 2 when he started to get really disruptive. He would act out at home, or in public places. It became very frustrating for my husband and I. When we had our second child when he was about 2 1/2, he mellowed out some. One thing I think helped was that we moved him out of his crib for his brother. So we made a big deal out of him now being a big boy and big boys do not hit or throw. I also started potty training him, which he didn't catch on to for another 6 months but he would go on the potty and he was very proud of the big boy behavior. It was a reward for him just to really feel like a big boy and get to do big boy things. However, he was still into hitting and throwing objects (he never threw himself down just threw other things - and not at anyone specifically, just to show he was upset). Needless to say, we had to figure out something he understood. Time out just didn't work for him. Taking toys away didn't work. He didn't seem to understand the concept. I finally tired just putting him in the middle of his toddler bed, and shutting the door (this was when he would demonstrate the negative behavior at home). I did that because his doctor told us that negative attention is still better than no attention for kids. So we basically cut him off from everyone for 5 minutes. It was lonely for him in there, and so he finally quit. When we were in public, I would take him to the car and let him sit (me standing outside of the car of course, not inside with him). It may seem harsh to some people, but it was all we could figure. Once he learned that we were serious about removing him from the situation he eventually quit doing the behavior that would make us take him out. It took a while though, I remember thinking that it was not working. My main reason in being so serious with him was that I lived in fear that he would throw something that might hit his little brother. I was also tired of getting stared at in public, he is a sweet child, I was tired of people judging me and him in their heads! Keep us posted! Katherine

I have a response for the Anger/Hitting/Throwing mom. Actually, I more so want to know how old her child is. Also, what types of behavior specifically is she/he showing? Is she/he actually angry at something or just trying to get attention? Anger is a strong word. I have a little boy that throws things, but I often brush it off as a boy just being a boy. I wonder if I am "in the dark". I want to hear more from her. Thanks!

Here is a little bit of follow up information I got from Stacey:

my son is almost 2 1/2. the hitting and throwing is almost always done out of anger and/or frustration. occasionally he will throw things in a playful fashion, which isn't quite as upsetting to me as when he throws his cup down because it's "white milk" instead of "chocolate milk" or whatever. and the hitting is always when he's mad, too. actually, back when he was about 18 months old, he started this behaviour with hair pulling. if he was mad,or if i had to pick him up to take him somewhere he didn't want to go, or whatever, he would pull my hair as hard as he could while he was throwing his little fit.i'm sure i didn't help the situation by giving him a reaction! i know you are just supposed to ignore them when they act up this way. he finally grew out of the hair pulling, but now it's been replaced by hitting. it's not always that he is TRYING to hit ME, it's just that he thrashes his arms at hits at anything in his way.i do not believe in hitting him back or spanking.we've tried time outs, which do help calm him down, but it just hasn't taught him not to do it again! the good news is, i don't think he does this at daycare (i'm sure we would have heard about this). i know kids will act up at home or with their parents because they feel safe and secure and they are pushing their limits.and i also know that he is using hitting/throwing as a way to release anger or frustration because he doesn't have the vocabulary yet to express how mad he is. (or maybe he doesn't even understand the concept???)anyway, it is frustrating and i know kids will be kids and 2 year olds will be 2 year olds...but i want this behaviour to stop!!!thanks for your feedback! -stacey

Stacey, I think the first mom is really on to something. I think maybe that one thing you might want to think about is turning your precious little man (and my precious little nephew) into a "big boy". Since time out doesn't seem to be working, what if you give him more responsibility. Make him more accountable for his behavior in sorts. At 2-3 they really can understand things like the big boy bed being a big deal. But if he can't act like a big boy (and big boys don't hit or throw) then he can't be in the big boy bed. Or give him a big boy toy or sorts - maybe a big boy pool (just one of those small baby pools) since it is hot outside. But if he can't act like a big boy then he can't play in the big boy pool.... Or have a fun big boy day - something that he really enjoys doing with you, and if he throws or hits, he doesn't get to go. I know with my daughter we made check marks on a paper and put it in the kitchen - she really had to earn a toy by getting check marks in each box. We showed her what a check mark was. Maybe you could purchase a semi-large (doesn't have to be expensive, just large in size always makes them "want" it a little more I think) toy and make him go a day without hitting to get a check. When he gets a certian number of checks, he gets the toy. I think he would understand that as long as you talked about it a lot and put the toy where he could see it. Those are just a few ideas!! Awbs

Here are a few more recent emails from Moms! These are great, ladies, keep sending them!!! Awbs

Hi Stacie. I read what you had to say about your child. Do you think some of it could be just "boys being boys"? Or actually, just a "child being a child". He knows that hitting is not right, because he doesn't do it at daycare. So maybe he is just trying to see what he can get away with at home? Have you tried just ignoring it? Or just saying, "we don't hit" and move on? It just sounds like to me that he is just being 2 since he doesn't do it at daycare. Hope things get better! Katherine

I think all 2 year olds throw fits and he will grow out of it. He isn't going to be hitting when he goes to college. Just keep doing what you think is best, obviously you have done a good job thus far or you wouldn't be reaching out trying to make life better for him.

Email Update

A reader suggested that I send out emails when I have posted new information on the blog.... I don't mind a bit doing that, but you must send me your email first. I have a few emails from folks I know read, but I am sure there are a few people who read and don't post anything.

So, if you read and want an email that says I have posted something new - please send me a short email so I can add you to the list serve!

I hope everyone has a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend!

Awbs

Finding Time in the Day

I got this email yesterday from Rene who wants to make sure she isn't the only mom in this position! Let her know what you think!

Hi, I am looking for some info from other moms about time. What I mean by this is I feel like I never have time to do it all. Can you do it all? I only work part time, and that is from home. I have two children, 4 & 2. I feel like I never accomplish anything.

I also have a major guilt problem within myself. If I go work out or hire a babysitter, I guilt myself. Even when I say before that I won't. Like, why can't I drop the kids off for awhile and not feel guilty about it? I NEED to go work out at least 3 times a week, but I feel like it is time taken away from them. I don't know how to get over that, or should I just wait until their are in school to do things like that for myself?

Any advice for helpful words anyone has would be so appreciated. I guess I just can't seem to give up wanting a life for myself as well as a clean house as well as spending time with my beautiful babies, as well as having time with my husband..... Thanks!

This comment came in yesterday - and it is so true:

just remember.. everyone needs a little alone time.. ESPECIALLY moms!! If Mom's not happy.. no one is!

Best Graphic Designer I know

Here is an ad for a new business my cousin has started! Mention that you saw the ad on this site and she might give you a little discount (because she loves me)! She is probably the most talented memeber of our family. Minus my brother who can play a mean guitar.... And her brother who takes excellent pictures.... And my other brother who could charm a snake..... Maybe I am the only one without an exceptional talent......

Trying to become a Mom

I had not gotten an email in about a week, so I was going to post some random thoughts of my own today. Consider yourselves saved..... I got this email from a young woman who is trying to become a Mommy and wants some advice! Hope you guys can help her - most of us have been in this position at some point!

My husband and I are actually trying to get pregnant. I quit taking the pill March 1st. I was actually one of those that thought it would happen right away. We are both healthy and young. All of my friends with children talk about how it didn't take any time at all, it happened the first month, etc. Well that's not happening with me. The past two months we have been actively trying. I am always looking on Web MD and BabyCenter.com to figure out my ovulation calculator. This past month we actually tried to cover all of our "dates" and for a few days thought we might be pregnant, but no, little thing called a period had to come. I'm interested to hear stories from all the other mothers out there on their experience trying to get pregnant. Like how long did it take? Any tricks? Am I just crazy for already thinking I'm going to have trouble?

I have decided this month to not even look at the calendar, just try naturally and just wait and see what happens. Charting and waiting and taking pregnancy test after pregnancy test just stresses me out! Thanks!

I got this email in response to the trying to conceive question. I know there are a lot more of you ladies out there who have been in this position, so please give a little encouragement/information if you have time!!

This is in response to the young lady who is trying to get pregnant. I went through the same situation. Although I can't offer up any "tricks" I assure you that you are not crazy for thinking there is a problem. Most likely there isn't, however I jumped to the same conclusion. It took my husband and I exactly 6 months to conceive. I have no idea why one month over the other 5 we had been trying, but it finally worked. We now have a beautiful little girl. I am 31 and he is 33.

It is hard to do, but try not to get discouraged. Some women's bodies take time to get adjusted after being on the pill. If you were on it for a long time, it may just be taking time to adjust. I am sure it is not that way for everyone on the pill, but all women's bodies are so different. Talk to your doctor, though, and make sure he or she will work with you. Explain that you are just nervous and see what his game plan will be if you don't conceive within the next 6 months. At least then you will have a plan!

The best advice I got when going through that situation was to relax and try to have fun instead of making it into a chore! Good luck!

This is for the lady looking to become a mom. I wanted to express to her that she is not alone. I have been in her spot before. I am sure many other women have as well. From my own personal experience, I can tell her that sometimes it just takes time. I got pregnant on our 6th month of trying. I was ready to schedule a fertility apppointment, but it just took time. It stinks to hear, but sometimes it just does.

If you have regular cycles and have never had any major problems, I would encourage you to try as best you can to relax and wait it out. Your doctor will direct you after a year of trying as to what to do next. Wishing you many fertile moments in the future!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all mom's.... What a gift you have given to this world. May you all have a day filled with love and relaxation.