1. Play with a big basin of water and cut down McDonalds straws (something about them being thicker and wider). You practise blowing bubbles with your child – because basically they try to blow bubbles and most tend to suck instead. They get a bit of a shock but work it out. Unless they refuse. ;-)

2. The little popper / fruit box drink things – practise before you put it into their mouths but basically squeeze the little box thing and push some into their mouths. Not a lot but enough for them to get the idea.

3. There’s apparently some truth to this one though it sounds weird. As they are going to blow / suck the straw in the basin of water, you suck on the little finger of their other hand… worth a shot?

 

For further information on help with feeding see these presentations from our 2013 conference: