Transitioning From Bottles to Cups: A Comprehensive Guide
Erin Moore, MSN, CPNP, IBCLC
This blog was written in paid partnership with Dr. Brown's
Moving your baby from a bottle to a cup is an important step in development, but parents are often left wondering how to do it. The truth is that there is no "best" approach. This transition can take time, but with practice, patience, and some extra guidance, your baby can master the cup and transition off the bottle with ease.
Why Cup Introduction is Important
Bottles play an important role in infancy, but they aren't designed for long-term use. Introducing cups early allows babies to practice new skills and learn how to use them over time.
Effects of Bottle Feeding Too Long
Staying on a bottle for too long can result in your baby:
- Skipping meals or not getting enough nutrients from solid foods due to drinking too much milk.
- Being at risk for taking in too many calories.
- Developing cavities from prolonged exposure to milk, formula, or juice in the bottle.
- Delaying speech from not properly developing the muscles in the mouth.
- Having difficulty transitioning to a cup as a toddler, as they may become attached to the bottle.
When to Introduce a Cup to a Baby
The timing is a key consideration to making your transition off the bottle as smooth as possible.
According to most pediatric and dental experts, introducing a cup around 6 months of age or soon after is best. This is typically when babies start showing an interest in self-feeding and can sit up with support. Babies should hit all developmental milestones for starting solids before introducing a cup unless you are advised differently by your pediatric provider.
Make sure to talk to your baby's pediatrician to determine when your baby is ready for solids and to introduce a cup. Just know that most babies won't take to a cup right away, as it takes a lot of exposure and practice for them to actually start drinking.
What Cup to Choose
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) recommends the introduction of straw cups or open cups early on to support oral motor development.
For families looking for a gentle transition, Dr. Brown's offers an easy way to move from bottles to cups. Many parents find that adding the Silicone Handles to their Dr. Brown's bottles helps encourage early independence and self-feeding skills. Baby can also practice new drinking skills with a bottle they're already familiar with via the Sippy Straw and Sippy Spout bottles, also featuring removable Silicone Handles.
For children ready to progress further, the Dr. Brown's Milestones Cheers360° cup line, available with or without handles, features a 360-degree lid that lets baby drink from any edge of the cup without spilling. This lid also comes in a set featuring two interchangeable lids — a silicone straw lid to teach baby straw sipping skills, and a Cheers360° spoutless lid so baby can learn big kid cup skills. The 360° technology is helpful as baby improves their motor skills.
How to Introduce a Cup
It is important for parents to understand that cup introduction is a marathon, not a sprint. In other words, it can take multiple months for a baby to start drinking out of straw or open cup.
Babies learn by watching parents, caregivers, and other babies. Showing them how to use a cup helps your baby understand what to do. Make sure to make it fun! Use silly voices, act out what you want your baby to do, and then let your baby practice.
The AAP recommends offering cups during mealtimes. Your baby can practice, but it eliminates "snacking" on milk throughout the day as they get older. Alternatively, you can offer small amounts of water in cups throughout the day.
Don't worry if your baby does not drink enough water right away. It takes a while for them to get used to the cup. They may dribble or spit water out or even throw the cup on the ground. This is all normal!
What to Offer in Cups
You can introduce water in a cup after your baby turns 12 months. The recommended amount of water between 6-12 months is between 4 to 8 ounces per day.
As your baby nears 12 months of age, they may start to prefer a cup over a bottle. At this point, you can offer breast milk or formula in a cup and transition away from the bottle.
Between 12-24 months of age, the recommended amount of milk is 16 ounces per day and between 8-32 ounces of water per day. Juice and other sugary beverages are not recommended.
For guidelines about what to serve your baby according to their age, refer to the AAP here.
When Should a Toddler Be Completely Off a Bottle?
Most toddlers should be completely off bottles by 12-18 months of age, with many pediatric experts recommending that bottles be phased out around their first birthday. By this age, most toddlers are developmentally ready to drink from cups and no longer need bottles for nutrition or comfort. The good news is that you have a lot of time to find the right cup and to practice!
Cup introduction can feel overwhelming at times, but remember, it does not have to happen overnight. Explore a few cup options and show your baby how to use it. With repetition, your baby will be drinking from a cup in no time!
References
- Shu, Jennifer, MD, FAAP. "From Bottle to Cup: Helping Your Child Make a Healthy Transition." HealthyChildren.org, American Academy of Pediatrics, 3 July 2023. www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Discontinuing-the-Bottle.aspx. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
- LaManna, S. "Skip the Sippy? Coaching Parents on Sippy Cup Use." ASHA Leader, 2024, leader.pubs.asha.org/do/10.1044/2024-1023-sippy-cups-slps/full/. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
- Muth, Natalie D., MD, MPH, RDN, FAAP. "Recommended Drinks for Children Age 5 & Younger." HealthyChildren.org, American Academy of Pediatrics, 3 Oct. 2023. www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Recommended-Drinks-for-Young-Children-Ages-0-5.aspx. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
About the Author
Erin Moore, MSN, CPNP, IBCLC, is the founder of Baby Feeding Coach and Fed With Love, a trusted feeding education hub for parents navigating everything from newborn feeding to family meals. With over 15 years of experience in pediatrics, Erin is a pediatric nurse practitioner, lactation counselor, and mom of two boys who understands both the science and the emotional weight of feeding our family.
Erin specializes in helping families feel confident with breastfeeding, formula feeding, starting solids, and toddler eating, without judgment, fear, or internet overwhelm. Her approach is evidence-based, practical, and deeply supportive, meeting parents where they are and helping them choose what works best for their family.