Your Questions, Answered: Introducing a Sippy Cup (and leaving the Bottle Behind)

We love hearing from our blog readers and we welcome your questions.  Here is our first post in what we will call "Your Questions, Answered" to respond to questions you pose for us. One reader wrote asking for tips for how to best transition from the bottle to a sippy cup.  We often hear this question in clinic too.  So, without further ado, here is my take on the Bottle to Sippy Cup transition.

1. Introduce the Cup Early:  Knowing our goal is for your baby to be drinking 100% from the cup (no more bottle) between 12-15 months, plan ahead and introduce the cup months beforehand.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing the cup at around 6 months of age.  I recommend starting by putting 2-3 ounces of water in a cup and giving it to your child at meal and snack time (remember that babies younger than 6 months of age, should only drink breastmilk or formula).  At 6 months of age, the majority of their nutrition (and hydration) is still coming from breastmilk and/or formula, so this is a no pressure situation.  

2.  Present Various Options:  Just like with bottles, some babies are very particular about which sippy cup they prefer.

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