📋 TL;DR
- Introduce a sippy or straw cup around 6 months
- Phase out bottles by 12-18 months
- Prolonged bottle use increases dental and ear infection risks
- Go slow and offer praise for cup drinking
👩♃️ Doctor’s Take
“Bottles after age 18 months are associated with dental caries, ear infections, and iron deficiency from excessive milk intake. The transition does not have to be abrupt. Start early with a cup at meals and gradually reduce bottle feeds. By 12 months, water and milk should come from a cup.” — Dr. Zoya Arshad, MD, FAAP
When to Start the Transition
The AAP recommends introducing a cup around 6 months when your baby starts solids. Start with a small open cup or a straw cup with a small amount of water. Most of the water will end up on your baby, but this early exposure builds familiarity. By 12 months, your baby should be drinking primarily from a cup. The goal is complete bottle weaning by 18 months to avoid dental problems.
Step-by-Step Strategy
Start by replacing one daytime bottle with a cup. Choose a bottle feed that is least associated with comfort, such as the midday bottle. Offer the cup first, then offer the bottle if needed. Once your baby accepts the cup for that feed, replace another. Keep the bedtime bottle for last, as it is often the most comforting. Gradually dilute the bedtime bottle with water over several days to reduce the association. Offer water in a cup between meals. Use praise and encouragement.
Choosing the Right Cup
Sippy cups with hard spouts are an option but straw cups and open cups are better for oral motor development. Look for cups with valves that prevent spills but require sucking, as these help develop the same muscles as straw drinking. Avoid cups with no-spill valves that require biting rather than sucking. Let your child practice with an open cup during supervised meal times.
What is the best type of cup to start with?
My toddler refuses the cup. What do I do?
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