Transitioning from a bottle to a cup

Introducing the Cup

Experts recommend introducing a cup of water to your child when he's around 6 months. Most health care providers recommend introducing cow's milk at age 1, so offering milk in a cup, and eliminating the bottle, can be a natural transition.

Putting milk in a cup rather than in a bottle lets your child practice hand-to-mouth coordination. Also, weaning to a cup also helps prevent children from using the bottle as a security object. Long-term bottle-feeding can damage your toddler's teeth. Transitioning to a cup may help prevent cavities and other dental issues.

Before You Begin Weaning

When you're ready to start the weaning process, make sure you have several child-friendly cups to offer. A sippy cup is a good option for young children who are making the transition from bottle to cup. Make sure to choose one without a spill-proof valve. The spill-proof cup may be less messy but it doesn't allow your child to practice his sipping skills, which he'll need for the open cup. As your child's drinking skills improve, you can offer an open cup at mealtime (with parent assistance). You can start by putting just water in the open cup to let him practice.

Don't Rush Your Child to Give Up the Bottle

Keep in mind that weaning to a cup can be a gradual process. It's normal for your child to resist trading in his bottle for a cup, so give it time. It can take up to six months before a child completely gives up the bottle.

Try Replacing the Midday Bottle First

Start the weaning process at the midday meal when your child may be more open to it. Replace his usual bottle of milk with a cup. Give him about a week to adjust to this change before you replace another bottle.

When switching to a cup, you may be concerned that your child won't drink enough of the cow's milk that he needs. But actually, toddlers only need 2 cups of cow's milk a day to meet their calcium requirement.

Next, Try Replacing the Morning Bottle

Next, replace the bottle with a cup of milk at the morning feeding, preferably when he is seated in a high chair. Once he's used to this change, you can start weaning him off the evening bottle.

You might find your child more receptive to the bottle if you encourage him by saying, "You're ready to drink from a cup now — just like your big brother." If your child uses the bottle to comfort himself, try giving him a favorite toy or a blanket to cuddle with. It also helps if you can change any daily routines that are associated with a bottle and replace them with new routines that involve the cup.

Last, Try Replacing the Bedtime Bottle

Before you replace the evening bottle, make sure your child doesn't still need it for nourishment. If he wakes up hungry during the night, continue to give him the bedtime bottle. But if he's sleeping through the night, he doesn't physically need that bottle anymore. Instead it has likely become a source of comfort. That's why you may find that it's the hardest bottle for your child to give up. Some experts recommend a more gradual two-step weaning process for the bedtime bottle.

Try a Two-Step Approach

To replace the bedtime bottle, start by filling it with plain water instead of milk. If your child refuses the water, go back to milk but dilute it with a little water. Dilute the milk a bit more each night until the bottle is only water. Then, if your baby still wants something to drink at bedtime, offer him water in a cup.

Stick with the Cup

Once you've weaned your child from the bottle, he may continue to ask for it, as he has become accustomed to the nighttime calming and routine. Rather than give him a bottle, find out what he really wants. If he needs comfort, try giving him a hug or reading another bedtime story. If he's thirsty, offer him a cup of water.

See which type of cup is right for your child with our Cup Guide.