TL;DR: This is an exciting step towards independence. Introduce the cup around the 6 month mark when your baby is beginning solids. Start to offer small sips of water at mealtimes. It is best to start with training cups before moving on to open cups. Most families begin to phase out bottles between 12 and 18 months. Just remember to take it slow and go at your child’s pace. Enjoy!
It’s time for your baby’s first sip of water!
Some take to it like a duck to water. Others babies show far more enthusiasm tipping it upside down and revelling in the chaos. Suddenly, the highchair is doing its best impression of a waterfall, and your favourite top has somehow become part of the experiment too!
Luckily, there’s no right way to go about introducing cups and water. As all parents soon discover, what works for one child might be completely rejected by another. The most important thing is to trust your own judgement and go at your little one’s pace (after all, you know them best!).
This guide is simply intended as a helping hand to get you started, covering the best time to begin and how to phase out bottles. Plus, we’ve even included which cups work best for each stage of the journey. Let’s take a look!
When to start introducing a sippy cup?
No guesswork needed here – your baby will usually let you know! This typically happens around the six month mark. Look out for small signs like an increasing interest in your drink or reaching out for cups (or basically anything else you’re holding!).
If you’ve started a bit later or your little one is not quite ready yet, don’t worry! At this point in a child’s life, consistent practicing matters far more than the precise timing.
What to put in a sippy cup?
The answer is pretty simple: stick to water only and give sugary drinks a miss for the time being. This helps protect your child’s developing teeth and avoids encouraging the development of sweet tooth too early on. Just think of it as reducing the competition for sweet treats!
How to build cup skills?
The transition from a bottle to a cup isn’t something babies master overnight. In fact, many can initially find the transition confusing, so just keep it slow and steady. Here’s a loose guide you can follow along with:
Stage 1: First sips (around 6 months)
The early stages of cup time is all about learning. At this point, milk feeds should still do the heavy lifting in terms of hydration.
We’d recommend beginning with a few teaspoons of cooled, boiled water a few times a day. Just make sure to only fill the cup with a small amount (around 5-15ml) to keep things manageable.
Sit them upright and comfortable, then place your hands over theirs and guide the cup together. Carefully tip until the water touches their lips, and lower it after a second or two. Spoiler alert: expect dribbling, splutters, spills (a lot of them!), and the occasional disgruntled expression. That’s all completely normal!
The best training cup for the six month mark is the Gentle Transition cup, which has removable handles to give those little hands something easy to hold onto. The Mighty Grip trainer cup is another great option, complete with ridged sides for a bit of extra grip.
If they refuse the cup, that’s fine! Try a different colour or style, and keep modelling by sipping from your own water bottle in front of them. You’ll get there!
Stage 2: Practising together at every meal (6–9 months)
Once your little one starts leaning forward for the cup or opening their mouth when they see it, this is a natural segue into regular practice. There’s no rush though, just start when they’re ready!
Begin offering the cup at all mealtimes, so it becomes part of their routine. Follow the guiding approach you’ve already mastered, gradually giving them more control as they grow in confidence. The Miracle Trainer Cup works brilliantly here, reducing any unwanted spills while still encouraging independence.
Your baby may still only manage tiny amounts, and that’s totally normal!
Stage 3: When to fully transition from bottles to sippy cups?
Most parents typically begin phasing bottles out between 12 and 18 months, with many health professionals discouraging them after 12 months.
Start by replacing one easy bottle (often post-lunch) with milk in a cup, before gradually moving on to the others, finishing with bedtime.
This is also the perfect time to introduce a straw cup. A straw cup (such as these ones complete with dog and cat lids) is often the best next step for oral development.
Stage 4: Growing independence with cups (9–18 months)
At this point, the focus shifts to building confidence with an open cup. Continue to offer it to them at most meals, keeping a straw or sippy cup just for on-the-go moments.
The Miracle 360 Tropical Swirl Cup can be a great next step as cup skills improve. Complete with a dentist-recommended, spoutless design, the 360 design allows your child to take a sip from any point around the rim, making it feel much more like a real cup. It’s a great backup to the open cup when you’re trying to avoid any unwanted spills!
Ready to get started?
The transition from bottles to an open cup doesn’t have to be stressful. The key is to just take it slow, keeping a close eye on your child’s cues as you navigate the process. Before you know it, you’ll have a pro on your hands. You’ve got this!
For more baby gear, head over to our site for all you could need. You can also take a look at our blog for more great parenting tips and tricks!
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