best toddler toys 6 months image
tiredbutwi
My pediatrician reccomends introdcuing a cup at 6 months. My daughter is now 8 months and still doesn't seem to understand the sippy cup. All she will do is chew on the spout. I've shown her to tip it up like her bottle, but all she wants to do is chew and shake it and throw it around like a toy. Should I keep trying? Is there a certain cup that works better? My mom keeps telling me that she's too young. It's hard to have all the conflicting ideas.
Answer
If your daughter is breastfeeding there is no compelling reason for her to take a sippy cup, breastfed babies do not need water nor any other fluids under 1 year of age.
Formula fed babies may need water to help prevent constipation, however water can also be given in a bottle. I have seen no evidence that bottles, pacifiers, nor thumb sucking cause any problems for tooth and jaw development under 3-4 years of age. Both bottles and sippy cups deposit the liquid in about the same place in the mouth, and most sippy cups drip in the same ways bottles do.
Even if you were to follow the advice to get rid of bottles at one year, you should have an appointment with a pediatric dentist at 1 year (or 6 months after the eruption of the first tooth whichever is FIRST). Then you could discuss the pros and cons of bottles vs sippy cups regarding proper tooth alignment and decay. There is little point discussing that topic with a pediatrician or family doctor -they really aren't trained in such things. And you should see a pediatric dentist in any case (and it is very important to see a dentist toddlers who do not get flouride sealant every 6 months are 4 times as likely to get cavities. If a toddler has cavities it generally requires general anesthetic to fix). Cavities in toddlers are rare but the prevalence is increasing.
Otherwise if you just want to teach her to use a sippy cup try the ones that aren't leak proof. Or try teaching her to drink through a straw. Some people recommend using the straw to drip liquid into the toddlers mouth a few times so they get the idea.
Best of luck.
http://www.drgreene.org/body.cfm?id=21&action=detail&ref=856
How old is too old?
According to the American Dental Association, thumb sucking does not cause permanent problems with the teeth or jaw line unless it is continued beyond 4 to 5 years of age. As it turns out, somewhere between 85% and 99% of children have finished thumb sucking spontaneously before this period.
Which children keep sucking their thumbs?
Many parents are concerned that thumb sucking at a late age is a sign of emotional immaturity or lack of self-confidence. When investigators have looked at late thumb suckers for common traits, they found only one thing in common that distinguished them from other children -- a prolonged history of a strong battle with thumb sucking at an earlier age. It is striking that many well-meaning parents have actually encouraged thumb sucking by trying to forcibly take the thumb out of their children's mouths.
http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/OC/Information/OralHealthAtAnyAge/InfantsAndChildren/Infants/CanPacifiersBabyBottlesRuinMyBabysTeeth.cvsp
Are Pacifiers a Problem?
During a child's first few years, sucking habits are unlikely to cause significant damage to a child's mouth. But persistent and long-term sucking, especially after the permanent teeth begin to come into the mouth around age 6, can cause:
* The top front teeth to slant out.
* The bottom front teeth to tilt in.
* The upper and lower jaws to be misaligned.
* The roof of the mouth to be narrowed.
http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/OC/Information/OralHealthAtAnyAge/InfantsAndChildren/Infants/CanPacifiersBabyBottlesRuinMyBabysTeeth.cvsp
Many children satisy their desire to suck by continuing to use a bottle or sippy cup as a pacifier or by breastfeeding long after these habits are no longer needed for nutrition. If the bottle or cup contains anything other than plain water, the frequent sucking or sipping may put the child at very high risk of developing early and extensive tooth decay.
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/thumbsucking-pacifier
Can problems result from prolonged thumbsucking and finger sucking?
Yes, but not until the permanent front teeth come in (beginning about age six). After that, sucking may cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and alignment of the teeth. It also can cause changes in the roof of the mouth.
The intensity of the sucking is a factor that determines whether or not dental problems may result. Children who rest their thumbs passively in their mouths are less likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously suck their thumbs. When the thumb is removed from the mouths of active thumbsuckers, a "popping" sound often is heard. Some aggressive thumbsuckers may cause problems with their baby (primary) teeth. If you notice changes in your child's primary teeth, consult your dentist.
If your daughter is breastfeeding there is no compelling reason for her to take a sippy cup, breastfed babies do not need water nor any other fluids under 1 year of age.
Formula fed babies may need water to help prevent constipation, however water can also be given in a bottle. I have seen no evidence that bottles, pacifiers, nor thumb sucking cause any problems for tooth and jaw development under 3-4 years of age. Both bottles and sippy cups deposit the liquid in about the same place in the mouth, and most sippy cups drip in the same ways bottles do.
Even if you were to follow the advice to get rid of bottles at one year, you should have an appointment with a pediatric dentist at 1 year (or 6 months after the eruption of the first tooth whichever is FIRST). Then you could discuss the pros and cons of bottles vs sippy cups regarding proper tooth alignment and decay. There is little point discussing that topic with a pediatrician or family doctor -they really aren't trained in such things. And you should see a pediatric dentist in any case (and it is very important to see a dentist toddlers who do not get flouride sealant every 6 months are 4 times as likely to get cavities. If a toddler has cavities it generally requires general anesthetic to fix). Cavities in toddlers are rare but the prevalence is increasing.
Otherwise if you just want to teach her to use a sippy cup try the ones that aren't leak proof. Or try teaching her to drink through a straw. Some people recommend using the straw to drip liquid into the toddlers mouth a few times so they get the idea.
Best of luck.
http://www.drgreene.org/body.cfm?id=21&action=detail&ref=856
How old is too old?
According to the American Dental Association, thumb sucking does not cause permanent problems with the teeth or jaw line unless it is continued beyond 4 to 5 years of age. As it turns out, somewhere between 85% and 99% of children have finished thumb sucking spontaneously before this period.
Which children keep sucking their thumbs?
Many parents are concerned that thumb sucking at a late age is a sign of emotional immaturity or lack of self-confidence. When investigators have looked at late thumb suckers for common traits, they found only one thing in common that distinguished them from other children -- a prolonged history of a strong battle with thumb sucking at an earlier age. It is striking that many well-meaning parents have actually encouraged thumb sucking by trying to forcibly take the thumb out of their children's mouths.
http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/OC/Information/OralHealthAtAnyAge/InfantsAndChildren/Infants/CanPacifiersBabyBottlesRuinMyBabysTeeth.cvsp
Are Pacifiers a Problem?
During a child's first few years, sucking habits are unlikely to cause significant damage to a child's mouth. But persistent and long-term sucking, especially after the permanent teeth begin to come into the mouth around age 6, can cause:
* The top front teeth to slant out.
* The bottom front teeth to tilt in.
* The upper and lower jaws to be misaligned.
* The roof of the mouth to be narrowed.
http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/OC/Information/OralHealthAtAnyAge/InfantsAndChildren/Infants/CanPacifiersBabyBottlesRuinMyBabysTeeth.cvsp
Many children satisy their desire to suck by continuing to use a bottle or sippy cup as a pacifier or by breastfeeding long after these habits are no longer needed for nutrition. If the bottle or cup contains anything other than plain water, the frequent sucking or sipping may put the child at very high risk of developing early and extensive tooth decay.
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/thumbsucking-pacifier
Can problems result from prolonged thumbsucking and finger sucking?
Yes, but not until the permanent front teeth come in (beginning about age six). After that, sucking may cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and alignment of the teeth. It also can cause changes in the roof of the mouth.
The intensity of the sucking is a factor that determines whether or not dental problems may result. Children who rest their thumbs passively in their mouths are less likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously suck their thumbs. When the thumb is removed from the mouths of active thumbsuckers, a "popping" sound often is heard. Some aggressive thumbsuckers may cause problems with their baby (primary) teeth. If you notice changes in your child's primary teeth, consult your dentist.
Can my rats still learn to use the litter box?
Chicken Ro
My rats are about 6 months old. Are they too old to learn how to use the litter box? Also what kind of toys do you give our rats, and what do they sleep in?
I use yesterday's news but I was talking about the bed type thing. They don't like hammocks. Mine prefer a hanging tunnel that they recently chewed and ruined. They seem quite lost without it.
My dad doesn't think the rats are capable of learning to use the litter box.
Answer
Most of my male rats love their hammocks. My girls want no part of it other than to climb thru it on occasion. All my ratties love boxes with an opening and some shredded newspaper to fill it with. None of my ratties are litter box trained. I gave up and they all use the litter box as a place to sleep with some shredded newspaper in it. I also have plastic igloos (large ones) for the ratties in their cage too, as well as plastic baskets that are a bit open so they can get airflow in them. I make my own hammocks from fleece. But they get peed on, pooped on and chewed up, and that's to be expected. They also need to be washed on a regular basis, so perhaps you'd want to get 2 more tubes for your rats since they liked theirs so much and you'll have a spare for when you wash one. I give my ratties some ferret and cat toys that are safe, like balls. I've found puppy type tug toys for them too, and some bird toys. Toddler toys are fun - they're sturdy enough and big enough for the ratties to climb on and in depending on what it is. They like things they can chew the best - like empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls, and shredded newspaper with their boxes for decorating.
It's never too late to litter box train a rat - it just requires persistence and patience and I lack that with how many ratties I have, so they can do their thing and be happy.
Most of my male rats love their hammocks. My girls want no part of it other than to climb thru it on occasion. All my ratties love boxes with an opening and some shredded newspaper to fill it with. None of my ratties are litter box trained. I gave up and they all use the litter box as a place to sleep with some shredded newspaper in it. I also have plastic igloos (large ones) for the ratties in their cage too, as well as plastic baskets that are a bit open so they can get airflow in them. I make my own hammocks from fleece. But they get peed on, pooped on and chewed up, and that's to be expected. They also need to be washed on a regular basis, so perhaps you'd want to get 2 more tubes for your rats since they liked theirs so much and you'll have a spare for when you wash one. I give my ratties some ferret and cat toys that are safe, like balls. I've found puppy type tug toys for them too, and some bird toys. Toddler toys are fun - they're sturdy enough and big enough for the ratties to climb on and in depending on what it is. They like things they can chew the best - like empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls, and shredded newspaper with their boxes for decorating.
It's never too late to litter box train a rat - it just requires persistence and patience and I lack that with how many ratties I have, so they can do their thing and be happy.
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