Introducing Toddleway's patented cup holder to fit the IKEA 'Antilop', Kmart 'Prandium' and Big W 'Uno' highchairs (not Target chairs unfortunately)
Did you know:
- by 6 months of age, when a child is ready to sit in a highchair, it is important to offer a cup of water with meals?
Not only does this allow them to develop their hand-eye coordination, but also to learn that fluids can come from alternative sources than the breast or bottle. Their oral-motor milestones are dependent upon successful practice.
1. Most babies can drink from a sippy cup by themselves by 11 months of age, and much earlier with help.
2. Usually, by 12-18 months of age, a child will want to eat and drink on their own as part of a developmental milestone and just like you, they may get thirsty during their meal.
If you have the IKEA 'Antilop' highchair, or the Australian Kmart 'Prandium', Target 'Snacka' or Big W 'Uno' highchairs, you will understand why people love them. They're cheap, easy to hose down if mealtimes go horribly wrong and just all round super practical.
But here's the thing...
It's not a huge tray.
Sure, it's big enough for your bowl or plate and a spoon and fork, but when you add the sippy cup it has just enough room to sit on the side or in the corner.
Right. Near. The. Edge.
Yeah.
You know what's coming..
Guess what happens when young children rock and roll in the chair, or practice scooping food with their spoon, or in our experience, just eating.
Elbows and arms move around and the next thing you know, that sippy cup is dripping water on the floor. Or better yet, the cup falls into the pile of food.
We did what most parents end up doing.. we took the sippy cup and put it nearby. Usually out of reach only to be offered when we remembered.
But learning to drink from a cup when you are thirsty is just as important as learning to eat when you are hungry. The cup needs to be within easy reach so your child can drink when they want.
Sitting level with the high chair tray, it is positioned at a perfect distance for self use. High walls and a lowered centre of gravity stop the cup from falling even with the roughest of wobbles, and an open base lets any stray food fall through. It even has a hole at the end for hanging when not in use.
It can be setup on the left or right hand side to suit you and your child and its wide opening can take even the chunkiest of sippy cups. Even ones with handles.
So sit back and relax whilst they play with their food, and drink to their hearts content. You'll be amazed how proud your little one is of themselves once they realise they can take their cup out of the cup holder and place it back in.
