The 5-6 Month Subscription Box - Research and Recommendations

In This Article: 

INTRODUCING A STRAW TOP

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies are likely ready to try a sippy or straw cup at about 6 months, around the time they’re starting solid foods. Offering a little water at mealtimes is intended for learning and not hydration. Breastmilk or formula will still be their primary source of hydration. 


Once babies can suck soft foods off their fingers or purees from a spoon, they are ready to learn straw-drinking. Here’s one suggest approach for teaching straw drinking from pediatric feeding expert Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP, [2]:

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies are likely ready to try a sippy or straw cup at about 6 months, around the time they’re starting solid foods. Offering a little water at mealtimes is intended for learning and not hydration. Breastmilk or formula will still be their primary source of hydration. 


Once babies can suck soft foods off their fingers or purees from a spoon, they are ready to learn straw-drinking. Here’s one suggest approach for teaching straw drinking from pediatric feeding expert Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP, [2]:

  • Dip the soft, silicone straw into a small container of smooth puree and offer it to baby by presenting it like a spoon. This helps baby adjust to the shape of the straw in their mouth.
  • Once they are comfortable and close their mouth around the straw, count to two before removing the straw. Babies will suck if you leave the straw in place for a few seconds.
  • Prime the straw with one inch of puree and present it, letting baby suck what's inside. The secret to this technique? It's the puree on the outside of the straw. That's what gets baby closing his lips and then sucking.
  • Once he can manage that tiny bit of puree, gradually prime more for him until he can suck, swallow and breathe as he takes multiple sips of puree via the straw.
  • Insert the straw into the squeeze pouch and prime it by sucking gently to fill the straw. Make sure the tip of the straw has a dab of puree on it to tempt baby to close his mouth on it. Now, hold the container for baby and let him suck on the straw. You can squeeze gently to help him get the hang of it if needed.


Smooth purees are a thickened liquid, making it so much easier to control in the mouth than something thin and runny, like water. Once baby has learned to "drink" purees comfortably, gradually water down the puree until he can manage water with ease.

HOW MUCH WATER IS OKAY?

Do not give a baby between 4-6 months more than 2 oz of water per day. At this stage, babies should still derive most of the hydration they need from breast milk or formula.


Between 6-12 months, babies can have about 4-6 ounces of water per day, though will probably naturally drink less. The goal during this time is just to get them used to the idea. Breastmilk or formula will still handle the bulk of their hydration needs.


At 12 months of age, baby can drink water freely. [3]


Do not give a baby between 4-6 months more than 2 oz of water per day. At this stage, babies should still derive most of the hydration they need from breast milk or formula.


Between 6-12 months, babies can have about 4-6 ounces of water per day, though will probably naturally drink less. The goal during this time is just to get them used to the idea. Breastmilk or formula will still handle the bulk of their hydration needs.


At 12 months of age, baby can drink water freely.


CLEANING & CARE

When washing the silicone straw top, it is important to take the internal straw and top apart and let water run through both of these pieces. Both the top and the internal straw are also dishwasher safe. 


Cleaning Tip: If smoothie or puree sticks to the inside of the silicone straw, simply run it under water and squeeze the straw between your fingers. The friction of the sides of the straw rubbing against itself will clean out any smoothie still attached to the side walls.

YOUR NEXT BOX - 7-9 MONTHS

  • Stainless Steel Bottle (2): The single walled, 16oz stainless steel bottle is freezer safe and dishwasher safe and has an interchangeable top which allows you to use them with nipples or straw tops alike. 


  • Flexible Flow Nipples: This nipple has a Y cut opening which makes them useful for formula as well as water, but they're also perfectly compatible for bottle feeding breastmilk with older babies.

References

[1] 'Starting Solid Foods' (2020) HealthyChildren.org. Available at: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Starting-Solid-Foods.aspx [Accessed: 15 September 2021].


[2] Potock, Melanie MA (2017). ‘Why You May Want to Skip the Sippy Cup for Your Baby’ Parents. Available at: https://www.parents.com/baby/feeding/center/why-you-may-want-to-skip-the-sippy-cup-for-your-baby/ (Accessed: 6 August 2021)


[3] 'Guidelines for Offering Water to Babies' (2019) KellyMom. Available at: https://kellymom.com/nutrition/starting-solids/baby-water/ [Accessed: 14 September 2021].