Using an open cup

Start by using a cup with two handles to help your child hold the cup steady.

After this you can progress to a one handled cup and then on to the child holding a beaker using both hands.

To help your child make a good lip seal around the cup, practise using thickened liquids like smoothies, milkshakes or yoghurt drinks to give them more time to get organised.

Only fill the cup half way up or less to reduce spillage.

Try to offer less and less help and gradually allow your child to hold and bring the cup to their mouth and then tip it to drink from it.

Encourage your child to sit still so that they have the best control of their arms and their body to make a slow and graded movement when tipping the cup to drink from it.

Some children like cups they can see into or cups that are tilted to reduce how far they have to tip their heads back. For example Flexi cups or Doidy cups.