The first 12 months of your newborn's life are full of exciting milestones and achievements. And it’s only natural to wonder when your baby might be ready to transition from a bottle to a sippy cup.
While direct nursing can continue for as long as you and your baby desire it to, here are 7 signs that your baby is ready for their very first sippy cup.
1. Your baby can sit up by themselves
Once your baby has good control of their head and neck and can sit up by themselves in a high chair, they’re likely ready to start being introduced to a sippy cup.
2. Your baby has reached 9 months old
As a general rule of thumb, your baby can start being introduced to the sippy cup from as early as 6 months old, provided he or she is sitting up unassisted.
According to a recent study, 9 months old is the “ideal” age for transitioning from a bottle to a sippy cup, but every child is different. It’s generally recommended that your baby is fully transitioned to a sippy cup no later than 15 months.
3. Your baby is interested in the sippy cup
To start getting your baby familiarised with a sippy cup, it’s always good practice to let them play with the cup first. Let them touch, hold, and drop the sippy cup (while it’s empty of course) so that they can start to get interested in it. You can practice putting the sippy cup up to their lips too so they start to recognise how it feels.
4. Choose a sippy cup with a silicone spout
To make the transition easier from a bottle to a sippy cup, choose a sippy cup with a silicone spout such as the HeorShe Dental Care Sippy Cup. The soft and flexible material of the silicone spout feels very similar to the nipple on the bottle, which can make the switch easier on your little one. This is especially useful if your baby is still very attached to their bottle.
5. Start by using both a bottle and a sippy cup
Switching from a bottle to a sippy cup overnight may be too fast for your bub. To make the transition easier, start slowly by bringing out the sippy cup as well as the bottle at mealtimes. You could also replace just one feeding per day with the sippy cup so that your child has a chance to ease into the transition. Bring it out for more meals over time.
6. Fill the sippy cup with a familiar liquid
Another option is to fill the sippy cup with breast milk or formula (or juice if they’re old enough) and fill the bottle with water. Your baby will likely get bored of the water in the bottle and turn to the yummy beverage in the sippy cup.
7. Switch up the sippy cup
Once your baby is comfortable using a sippy cup with a silicone spout like the HeorShe Dental Care Sippy Cup, try moving them on to something else that more closely resembles a normal cup. A great option is our Wheat Straw Sippy Cup, which doesn’t have a silicone spout, but will still prevent spills!
Transitioning your baby from bottle to sippy cup can be a slow process, and it’s unlikely to happen overnight. But with the right sippy cup at your disposal, starting to drink like one of the big kids will be that much easier!