Are you unsure how to introduce a cup to your baby? As a parent, you are expected to teach your baby many things in their first year of life, and drinking from a cup is one important skill. Here are tips to make the introduction smooth.
When Should I Introduce a Cup?
Once babies start eating solids, you can introduce cup drinking with small amounts of water. Many babies begin trying solid foods around 6 months old, so make sure they show all the signs of readiness for solid foods first. At that time, you can begin exposing your baby to a cup.
What Kind of Cup Should I Start With?
You can start with an open cup or a straw cup. If you want to try a straw cup, a honey bear cup is a great option. Whichever you choose, make sure it is small enough for your baby to hold.
How Should You Introduce a Cup to Your Baby?
Begin by placing an empty cup on your baby’s high chair tray at mealtime. Let your baby explore the cup without any liquid in it. Once you are ready to try liquids, add a small amount of water to the cup, and help your baby with the cup as needed.
Modeling cup drinking is also a great way to show your baby this new skill. Babies do not need to take in water at this age, so keep the amount offered small.
How Will This Help My Baby Move Away From a Bottle?
Exposing your baby to cup drinking early helps set them up for success when it is time to wean from a bottle, which is recommended around 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use an open cup or a straw cup?
Either can work. The most important thing is that the cup is small enough for your baby to hold. Try one, watch how your baby handles it, and switch if it is not going well.
How much water should I offer?
Just a small amount. Babies do not need water at this age, so the goal is practice, not hydration.
What if my baby refuses the cup or struggles to drink from it?
Keep trying to introduce a cup to your baby in short, relaxed sessions, and let your baby play with the empty cup first. If your baby still struggles with cup drinking or moving from a bottle to a cup, a speech-language pathologist can evaluate their feeding skills.
How ETLC Can Help
If your baby is struggling with cup drinking or moving from a bottle to a cup, ETLC is here to help. Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center has locations in Johnston and North Liberty, IA, with virtual services also available.
Learn more about feeding and swallowing support at ETLC or schedule a free screening or evaluation to talk with a member of our team.
You may also find these pages helpful:
- 4 Signs Your Baby Is Ready to Start Solid Foods
- Help! My Child Is a Picky Eater
- 5 Tips to Create Positive Mealtime Experiences
About the Author
Sonia Strueby, M.A., CCC-SLP, is the founder of Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center. With over 25 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist, Sonia has dedicated her career to helping children overcome complex communication and academic challenges. She has advanced training and a special focus on treating dyslexia and childhood apraxia of speech, and she is passionate about providing families with a clear path to success.
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