How to help your baby transition smoothly from bottle to cup

It is very common for babies to drink milk from bottles. It is only when they are a little older that they can be trained to drink from cups. It is recommended to use a training cup at first. Its straw head is very similar to the nipple of a bottle, and babies usually get used to it. Parents should not be impatient during the transition process and must take their time.

Transitioning from bottle to cup

6~9 months old use training cup

Use a soft-mouthed sippy cup: Give your baby a sippy cup to get him or her familiar with it. It is recommended to use a sippy cup with a soft mouth similar to a bottle head. It is best if the baby can hold it by himself or herself, which makes it easier for him or her to get used to the cup.

Interesting and cute design: The appearance of the sippy cup should be interesting and cute, which can attract babies to use it. If possible, let the baby choose his favorite one by himself, which will have a better effect.

Use familiar drinks: Put a drink your baby likes in the cup, such as water, juice or formula. This is not the time to introduce new flavors, otherwise your baby may reject the use of the cup.

Keep trying: If the baby pushes away the first time, stop trying and try again a week later. If the baby still refuses to use it, try changing to another cup. Sometimes the baby may just like a different cup.

Start transitioning at 9 to 12 months

Good time for switching: Babies at this stage should have started trying a lot of finger foods and weaning foods, and eating three meals a day, so the demand for formula milk will naturally decrease, which is a good time for switching.

One should be replaced first: When the baby is 9 months old, start replacing one of the feedings with a cup. It is recommended to start with daytime feedings. After the baby is used to it, continue to replace the other feedings until only the cup is used during the day.

Mornings and evenings are the hardest to wean off: The first and last feedings of the day are usually the hardest to wean off. Therefore, it is best to make sure your baby is well adapted to the cup before you wean off the bottle. Once your baby is ready, slowly switch them out one at a time.

Be consistent and firm: Once you switch bottles, don't use them again, or your baby will continue to negotiate with you. Keep the bottle out of sight and out of your baby's sight once you've switched.

Goodbye to baby bottles over 12 months old

Start with a cup only: After your baby turns 1, it's best to use a cup only. If your baby has a hard time switching, try putting his favorite drinks, like milk and juice, in a cup.

Fixed provision method: It is best to start providing cups at a fixed time and method, such as providing milk or juice in cups during meals and providing water as a snack between meals.

Bedtime brushing habits: As long as your baby is using a cup well, you should start to develop a bedtime brushing habit. Brushing teeth before bedtime can prevent tooth decay, and since your baby no longer needs a bottle to fall asleep, brushing teeth before bedtime is a habit that must be developed.

When do you start using cups?

Long-term and frequent use of baby bottles can cause tooth decay. Pediatricians recommend that it is best to start letting your baby drink water from a cup when he is 6 months old. Although 6 months is recognized as the best time for babies to transition from bottles to cups, babies always have a learning and adaptation process and it is impossible to achieve it overnight. When the baby is 5 months old, parents can consciously let the baby get familiar with the training cup to prepare for drinking water from a cup. When the baby is 6 months old, you can try to let him drink water from a cup. At the beginning, you can let the baby hold the cup with both hands, and the parents will help to put it in his mouth. When the baby holds the cup more steadily, the adult can gradually let go and let him hold the cup and put it in his mouth by himself. Pay attention to the amount of water in the cup from small to large. By 8 months, the baby can drink water from a cup by himself.