Starting solids is a big milestone. Alongside food, your baby is also learning how to drink from something other than a bottle. Experts recommend introducing cups from around six months — but how do you actually teach a baby to sip?
Here’s a calm, seven-day plan that works with development, not against it.
Why Cups Matter
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends beginning the transition away from bottles at six months, using open or straw cups instead【AAP†source】. Speech-language pathologists note that these cups build the oral-motor skills babies need for eating and talking later【ASHA†source】.
Sippy cups may feel easier, but most experts suggest using them only briefly, if at all, because they reinforce sucking rather than sipping【AAPD†source】.
The 7-Day Plan
Day 1: Introduce the Cup
Offer a small open cup or straw cup at mealtimes. Put a little water or breastmilk/formula in it. Let your baby touch, mouth, and explore it. Expect mess.
Day 2: Supported Sips
Hold the cup for your baby and tip it gently to their lips. For straw cups, place the straw near their mouth and let them try drawing liquid.
Day 3: Hand-over-Hand
Guide your baby’s hands to the cup as you support it. This starts the process of teaching them to lift and tilt.
Day 4: Independent Attempts
Let your baby hold the cup themselves, while you steady it if needed. Offer small amounts of liquid so spills are limited.
Day 5: Practice, Don’t Perfect
Keep offering the cup at least once a day. Remember that spills are normal and part of the learning process.
Day 6: Encourage, Don’t Pressure
Celebrate small wins — a successful sip, holding the cup upright, or managing the straw. If they throw it, stay calm and try again later.
Day 7: Make it Routine
By the end of the week, your baby may still not be a pro — but they’ll have had multiple successful exposures. The key is consistency. From here, make cups a regular part of meals.
Troubleshooting
-
Refuses the cup? Try a different liquid (water vs milk).
-
Struggles with straw? Pre-fill the straw and release a small sip into their mouth to teach the action.
-
Lots of spills? Offer only a few sips at a time.
How Jeanie Baby Supports the Transition
We designed our cup with a straw rather than a spout because it’s better for oral-motor development. The stainless steel interior keeps drinks fresh, and the silicone exterior gives grip while keeping things soft.
References
-
American Academy of Pediatrics – “From Bottle to Cup: When and How”
-
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association – Feeding and Swallowing Milestones
-
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry – Policy on Dietary Recommendations for Infants, Children, and Adolescents
