The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you start to teach your baby to drink from an open cup around 6 months of age, when they start eating solid foods.
It’s important to teach your baby to drink from an open cup because it helps them:
- Stop using a bottle by the time they’re 1 year old.
- Meet important physical and cognitive development milestones.
- Build muscles they need for other skills, such as talking and eating solid foods.
- Prevent other health concerns, such as ear infections, cavities, and low iron levels.
How will I know if my baby is ready to drink from an open cup?
Your baby should be able to sit without support and curve their lips around the cup’s rim. before starting.
What type of cup should I use?
There are many options of cups for your baby, from sippy cups to ones with straws. It’s best to choose a cup that is completely open and doesn’t have a lid, straw, or spout.
Tips to help your baby use a cup:
Here are some practical tips to help your baby learn this new skill:
- Practice and play: Let your baby play with an empty cup so they get familiar with it. Practice using a cup; remember, it takes time for a baby to learn.
- Start slowly: Offer an open cup at one meal a day with a small amount of liquid (1-2 ounces) in it at a time. You can add more liquid and offer the cup more often as your baby gets better at drinking from a cup.
- Time it right: Offer a cup when your baby is not too hungry or tired.
- Lead by example: Babies learn by example, so show your baby how you use a cup.
- Keep it fun: Make the open cup fun by offering a colorful or character-themed cup.
- Praise and patience: Give praise and show patience when your baby learns to use a cup.
What should I put in my baby’s cup?
Put breastmilk, formula, or water in a baby’s cup. Do not give babies juice or other sweetened drinks. These drinks contain a lot of sugar and don’t have enough of the nutrients your baby needs to grow and develop.