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Straw Drinking Techniques and Tips for Parents
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To teach a toddler to suck through a straw is pretty simple. These are simple steps I use to teach this skill and I hope you are able to use them to teach your toddler too.
Start out by trickling fluid from a straw into your toddlers mouth. At this point you just want him to begin to understand that he can get fluids.
After this becomes easy and common for your toddler then we raise the bar by asking him to close his mouth around the outside. He doesn't have to actually suck at this point. Hold the tip in his mouth and waiting for him to close his lips before you let the fluid to come out.
When your toddler closes his lips around the outside routinely then you can start expecting him to suck. Place the tip into your toddler's mouth without releasing the fluid. Wait for your toddler to initiate a sucking action then release the fluid immediately.
When your toddler understands that he has to suck to get something out you can move to the last step. Set up your toddler like in the top step but when he starts to suck quickly place the bottom end into the glass so that he gets a continuous flow.
Generally that's all you have to do. If your toddler has difficulty with any of these steps don't rush him. Just practice with your toddler and he will get it.
Once your toddler has this skill then you can start using different thickness of fluids to exercise his mouth. Yogurt, pudding and fruit smoothies are my favorites. Use what your toddler likes so he's motivated. Remember to keep it fun and don't frustrate him.
