Moving from the Bottle to the Cup

Bottles help your baby feel soothed and safe - it’s easy to see why little ones are so fond of them! What can you do to help them use a cup instead?

The time comes when it’s important to begin switching your baby or toddler from the bottle to a cup. Unfortunately, the longer this transition is delayed, the harder it is for kids to do. Using bottles as an older toddler raises the risk of dental issues and undernourishment through not eating enough solid foods, so it’s good to switch as soon as you can! Ideally this should be between 12 and 15 months old. Let’s take a look at how to make this shift as smooth as possible for you and your child.

GET THE RIGHT CUP

Sippy cups are specifically made for babies to use and are great for minimising spills. Try to get one with a hard spout or straw as ones with soft spouts can contribute to problems with teeth down the line.

INTRODUCE IT EARLY ON

It’s helpful to give your baby a cup when they are around 8 months old. This is not when you will actually switch to cup feeding, and most of what you give your 8 month old will end up on the floor or on themselves. However, it lets your child get familiar with the cup and by the time they reach a year old, they will likely have developed the coordination skills and dexterity to manage holding and sipping from a cup.

KEEP CHANGE GRADUAL

Cutting out bottles gradually can help children adapt more easily than an abrupt changeover. Perhaps try replacing the morning bottle first, giving milk from a cup instead. Pair this with encouragement. Try saying phrases like “wow, you’re so grown up, using a big girl cup”. At your own pace, progress to a cup at the time where you normally give an afternoon bottle and eventually, the evening one too.

REASSURANCE IS VITAL

Continue giving the afternoon and evening bottle feeds as you bring in the morning transition. This way, if your little one communicates that they want a bottle, you can remind them that they’ll have one later. Reassure them that their bottle feeding hasn’t completely stopped. If they continually ask, look at what it is they truly want. Maybe they feel hungry or thirsty - if so, offer a snack or some water. If they are looking for comfort or entertainment, give them cuddles or sit and play together.

ADJUST THE BEDTIME ROUTINE

The bedtime feed will likely be the last to go as it’s most strongly linked with comfort and the bedtime routine. A good option is to give a cup of milk with dinner and do the other parts of the sleep routine as usual, whether that involves story time, a nice bath or some relaxing music, whatever works for you! With these tips, the transition from bottle to cup should be more straightforward. However, if you have any concerns, speak with your doctor.