Two Questions - Federal Way,WA

I introduced my first daughter to the sippy cup just before 5 months. I just put some water in it and she did fine. Of course you don't want to give too much water since he still needs milk, but once I started on solids I gave her water with her meals. I tried giving her expressed milk in the sippy, but she didn't go for it. She didn't do bottles either though. I'm in the same boat with my second and will be trying the sippy cup soon.

Looks like you have already gotten some good advice :) I'll just add that my little brother started walking at 7 months and was running by 8 months, so while it is rare, it's okay. Crawling is good for them though too with having to process the coordination of it all. But even if he is walking you and your two older children can make a game out of crawling and your baby will probably want to copy. Just an idea :)

We started a sippy with my daughter about 10 months I think. She gets water in it and we just introduced diluted juice at 18 months but she doesn't like it. You can put breastmilk in a sippy if babe will need to eat while you're gone for awhile but I wouldn't do it if you're readily available.

Most kids start walking after 10 months, but that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with a kid starting earlier, especially if he's trying to catch his brothers! Don't worry about it! If he's ready to walk, he's ready!

My little boy who is now 1 1/2 started walking at 9 months. I have a friend who her daughter, now 16, started walking at 7 months and her little boy that turned 1 in Jan started walking at 10 months but that was only because he was a very large baby, 10 lbs 1 oz so it was harder for him to be stabel. Another frined of mine had a little girl about 9 months before me and she started walking at the end of her 9th month. So as you can see, lots of babies walk at young ages and there is nothing wrong with it at all. my boy as well as all my friends babies are perfectly healthy. I look at it as they are some pretty smart babies who want to get up and go when they want and they know where they want to go. Alot of times if they are around an older kid alot that is walking it prompts them to want to copy them and they do it sooner. Others just don't have an interest in crawling around too long, walking is much faster. Enjoy it and praise your child of how well he is doing so you build his confidence

Libby, breathe.....
At 8 mos. I don't think Zephyr will be confused with breast milk in a sippy cup. You can put some in it. Water is great stuff, we all need some every day. It will work well.
Apple juice, white grape juice are great. We're talking about small amounts and you can dilute them with water if you're afraid of the sugar contents, but use juice from concentrate with little or no added sugars.

With regards to the standing and walking... great news!! Yes, he's emulating his big brothers. No need for concern, just watch him to protect him from falls and his other brothers in their play. My oldest was walking on her own by 11 months, so pulling himself up and walking around furniture at 9 months is on target. You will have your hands full, but you knew that already. It's going to be nothing but an adventure, some totally awesome days and then some very exciting and scary moments, but you will all survive. Enjoy!!

In response to the walking--your child needs to crawl and I cannot emphasize that too strongly. There have been many studies that show crawling correlates with good reading ability.

I am a k-1 teacher and I know. Put your child on the ground and let him crawl! For his success in reading and school let him crawl.

My mid child started walking at 8 1/2 months. She is still running. I have 5.