My Baby Can't Figure Out How to Use a Straw Cup
Medically reviewed by Dr. Rachel Kim, MD, RDN · Pediatric Nutrition Specialist
Content reviewed against published AAP, NIH guidelines
Last reviewed:
Feeding challenges are one of the most common concerns new parents face. When it comes to can't figure out how to use a straw cup, here is what the guidelines recommend.
The short answer
Learning to drink from a straw is a new skill that takes practice. Most babies can learn between 6 and 12 months. You can teach by placing a straw in liquid, covering the top to trap liquid, and releasing it into baby's mouth. Some babies learn quickly while others need weeks of practice.
Key takeaways
- Learning to drink from a straw is a new skill that takes practice. Most babies can learn between 6 and 12 months. You can teach by placing a straw in liquid, covering the top to trap liquid, and releasing it into baby's mouth. Some babies learn quickly while others need weeks of practice.
- Usually normal when: Baby bites or chews on the straw instead of sucking
- Call your doctor if: Baby cannot suck or swallow liquids from any source
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
“The AAP recommends exclusive breastfeeding for approximately 6 months after birth. Furthermore, the AAP supports continued breastfeeding, along with appropriate complementary foods introduced at about 6 months, for 2 years or beyond.”
Thousands of parents search for this exact thing. You are not alone.
What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, NIH guidelines, learning to drink from a straw is a new skill that takes practice. Most babies can learn between 6 and 12 months. You can teach by placing a straw in liquid, covering the top to trap liquid, and releasing it into baby's mouth. Some babies learn quickly while others need weeks of practice. At 0-3 months, straw cups are not appropriate for babies this age. All nutrition should come from breast milk or formula. It is generally considered normal when baby bites or chews on the straw instead of sucking. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if baby cannot suck or swallow liquids from any source.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
0-3 months
Straw cups are not appropriate for babies this age. All nutrition should come from breast milk or formula.
4-6 months
Some babies can start learning straw drinking around 6 months, but many are not ready yet. If you want to introduce a straw, try the straw dipping technique: dip a straw in liquid, hold your finger over the top to trap a small amount, place it in baby's mouth, and release.
6-9 months
This is a good time to start straw cup practice. Use the dipping technique or try a honey bear straw bottle where you can squeeze liquid up the straw to show baby how it works. Many babies bite the straw at first rather than sucking, which is completely normal. Keep sessions short and pressure-free.
9-12 months
Most babies can master straw drinking with practice during this period. If your baby still struggles, continue practicing at meals. Some babies do better with shorter, wider straws or weighted straws that stay in the liquid. Straw drinking builds oral motor muscles important for speech development.
12-24 months
If your toddler still cannot drink from a straw by this age, keep practicing and consider trying different straw types. If your toddler also has difficulty with other oral motor tasks like chewing or making certain sounds, mention it to your pediatrician as a feeding or speech evaluation may be helpful.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed can't figure out how to use a straw cup and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if baby is over 15 months and cannot drink from a straw despite regular practice.
- Mention if baby also has difficulty sucking from a bottle or breast.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Baby bites or chews on the straw instead of sucking
- Baby needs several weeks of practice to learn straw drinking
- Baby can drink from a straw sometimes but not consistently
- Baby is under 12 months and still learning
- Baby is over 15 months and cannot drink from a straw despite regular practice
- Baby also has difficulty sucking from a bottle or breast
- Baby has weakness in facial muscles or drools excessively
- Baby cannot suck or swallow liquids from any source
- Baby is showing signs of dehydration
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice can't figure out how to use a straw cup — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that baby bites or chews on the straw instead of sucking — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-3 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Offer feeding in a calm, distraction-free environment. Avoid forcing or pressuring your baby to eat.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if baby cannot suck or swallow liquids from any source.
Related Conditions
My Baby Won't Drink from a Cup
Cup refusal is common, especially if baby is used to bottles or breastfeeding. Most babies can start learning to drink from an open cup or straw cup around 6 months. Patience and repeated exposure are key. Try different cup types, and remember that it is a skill that takes practice.
Baby Refusing Sippy Cup
Many babies are initially uninterested in or resistant to sippy cups, and that is completely normal. The key is finding the right type of cup for your baby and offering it consistently without pressure. Some babies skip traditional sippy cups entirely and do better with straw cups or open cups with handles. There is no single cup that works for every baby, so trying a few different styles is often the solution.
Sippy Cup vs Straw Cup: Which Is Better?
Speech therapists and pediatric dentists generally recommend straw cups and open cups over traditional spout sippy cups. Sippy cups require a sucking motion similar to a bottle, while straw cups develop more mature oral motor patterns important for speech. Open cups help develop lip and jaw control. If you use a sippy cup, consider it a transitional tool rather than a long-term solution.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Feeding & Nutrition Guide
Complete guide to breastfeeding, formula feeding, and solid food introduction.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is can't figure out how to use a straw cup normal?
When should I call the doctor about can't figure out how to use a straw cup?
When is can't figure out how to use a straw cup normal?
What causes can't figure out how to use a straw cup?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about can't figure out how to use a straw cup?
Is can't figure out how to use a straw cup normal at 0-3 months?
Is can't figure out how to use a straw cup normal at 4-6 months?
Should I go to the ER for can't figure out how to use a straw cup?
Does can't figure out how to use a straw cup go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Can't Figure Out How to Use a Straw Cup.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed can't figure out how to use a straw cup and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if baby is over 15 months and cannot drink from a straw despite regular practice.
- Mention if baby also has difficulty sucking from a bottle or breast.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Baby is over 15 months and cannot drink from a straw despite regular practice
- Baby also has difficulty sucking from a bottle or breast
- Baby has weakness in facial muscles or drools excessively
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Baby cannot suck or swallow liquids from any source
- Baby is showing signs of dehydration
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of can't figure out how to use a straw cup are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if baby cannot suck or swallow liquids from any source.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
Was this page helpful?
Related Feeding Concerns
My Baby Won't Drink from a Cup
Cup refusal is common, especially if baby is used to bottles or breastfeeding. Most babies can start learning to drink from an open cup or straw cup around 6 months. Patience and repeated exposure are key. Try different cup types, and remember that it is a skill that takes practice.
Baby Refusing Sippy Cup
Many babies are initially uninterested in or resistant to sippy cups, and that is completely normal. The key is finding the right type of cup for your baby and offering it consistently without pressure. Some babies skip traditional sippy cups entirely and do better with straw cups or open cups with handles. There is no single cup that works for every baby, so trying a few different styles is often the solution.
Sippy Cup vs Straw Cup: Which Is Better?
Speech therapists and pediatric dentists generally recommend straw cups and open cups over traditional spout sippy cups. Sippy cups require a sucking motion similar to a bottle, while straw cups develop more mature oral motor patterns important for speech. Open cups help develop lip and jaw control. If you use a sippy cup, consider it a transitional tool rather than a long-term solution.
When to Introduce Allergens to Baby
Current guidelines recommend introducing common allergens (peanut, egg, cow's milk products, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, sesame) starting around 4-6 months when your baby is developmentally ready for solids. The landmark LEAP study showed that early introduction of peanuts (by 4-6 months) reduced peanut allergy risk by 80% in high-risk infants. Do not delay allergens - the old advice to wait until 1-3 years has been reversed because early exposure actually prevents allergies.
I'm Worried My Baby Is Aspirating During Feeds
Aspiration means liquid or food enters the airway instead of the stomach. Occasional coughing during feeds is common and does not usually indicate aspiration. True aspiration is less common and may present as recurrent respiratory infections, a wet or gurgly voice after feeds, or chronic cough. If you are concerned, a swallow study can provide a definitive answer.
When Does My Baby Need Amino Acid Formula?
Amino acid-based formulas (also called elemental formulas) are prescribed for babies with severe cow's milk protein allergy, multiple food protein intolerances, or conditions like eosinophilic esophagitis who cannot tolerate standard or extensively hydrolyzed formulas. They are the most hypoallergenic formula available because the proteins are broken down into individual amino acids, making allergic reactions virtually impossible.