From bottle to cup

How to switch from bottles to cups to encourage good dental and speech development

When?

At 6 months, if possible, introduce your baby to a lidded beaker (preferably without a valve) and it will be much easier to move them on to a cup over the next few months
Drinking from a cup or beaker is much better for your baby’s teeth and also helps with speech development
It’s a good idea to wean them from a bottle completely by the end of the first year as bottle-sucking can become a habit that’s hard to break

How?

To avoid distraction, bottles should be kept out of sight when drinks are offered from a cup
Try replacing one of their bottles with a cup at one meal in the day when your baby is not tired. Try water or diluted fruit juices at mealtimes
They should be seated upright at a table before being offered something to drink. This encourages a good drinking position and puts the cup at the right starting height
Once they get used to using a cup for one meal during the day, replace another daytime bottle with a cup
Replace the bottle your baby is most reliant on last. For most babies, this will be the last bottle of the day

Types of cup

Non-spill lidded beaker (these have a valve in them to prevent any spills and therefore still require your baby to suck)
Free-flow lidded beaker
Child-friendly cup (small and unbreakable)

As soon as your baby can hold things, offer them a cup to play with. Since most things probably end up in their mouth, it will get them used to handling and using a cup.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Breastfeeding is best for babies. Good maternal nutrition is important for the preparation and maintenance of breastfeeding. Introducing partial bottle-feeding may have a negative effect on breastfeeding and reversing a decision not to breastfeed is difficult. You should always seek the advice of a doctor, midwife, health visitor, public health nurse, dietitian or pharmacist on the need for and proper method of use of infant milks and on all matters of infant feeding. Social and financial implications should be considered when selecting a method of infant feeding. Infant milk should always be prepared and used as directed. Inappropriate foods or feeding methods, or improper use of infant formula, may present a health hazard.