When Do Babies Drink From a Cup? Your Complete Guide

From first sips to ditching bottles—everything you need to know about introducing cups, choosing the right type, and making the transition smoothly.

Updated: December 2024•9 min read

Cup Training Essentials

Quick Timeline

6 months: Start introducing a cup with water at meals. 12-18 months: Wean from bottles completely. 18-24 months: Most toddlers drink independently from cups. The key is starting early and being consistent—not expecting perfection.

Teaching your baby to drink from a cup is one of those milestones that seems simple until you're standing in the baby aisle staring at 47 different cup options, wondering why this is so complicated.

The good news: it doesn't have to be. Babies have been learning to drink from cups for thousands of years without specialized training cups. The key is starting at the right time, choosing cups that work for your situation, and accepting that mess is part of the process.

When to Start: The Timeline

6 months

Introduction

Begin offering a small open cup or trainer cup with a few sips of water at mealtimes. Expect more spilling than drinking—that's normal.

6-9 months

Practice phase

Baby experiments with holding the cup, bringing it to mouth, and tilting. Most liquid still ends up on the bib. Assistance needed.

9-12 months

Growing competence

Baby can drink from a held cup with minimal spilling. May start holding sippy cup or straw cup independently.

12-15 months

Bottle transition

AAP recommends weaning from bottles by 12-18 months. Cup becomes primary drinking vessel. Still messy with open cups.

18-24 months

Independence

Cons:

Poorest for oral development, can affect teeth if overused

Best for: Occasional use only, not recommended as primary cup

What Speech Therapists Say

Many speech-language pathologists recommend prioritizing open cups and straw cups over spouted sippy cups. The sucking motion required for sippy spouts is similar to bottles and doesn't promote the mature swallowing pattern that open cups and straws encourage. That said, any cup is better than prolonged bottle use.

Practical Tips for Success

What Actually Works

✓Start with water: Less sticky mess, and babies don't need juice. Breast milk or formula can come later once they get the hang of it.
✓Offer at every meal: Consistent exposure matters more than how much they actually drink. Make it part of the routine.
✓Model drinking: Babies learn by watching. Drink from your cup, say "mmm," and let them see how it's done.
✓Accept the mess: Bibs, splash mats, and low expectations are your friends. This phase passes.
✓Fill cups only partway: Less liquid = smaller spills. An inch of water is plenty for practice.
✓Let them hold it: Even if you guide it, let baby have their hands on the cup. Independence builds skills.

The Bottle Weaning Process

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends weaning from bottles between 12-18 months. This isn't arbitrary—extended bottle use is associated with:

Tooth decay: Especially when bottles are given at bedtime with milk
Iron deficiency: Kids fill up on milk and skip iron-rich foods
Excess calorie intake: Easy to over-consume liquid calories
Oral development concerns: Different sucking pattern than cups

Weaning Strategies That Work

Gradual approach

Drop one bottle at a time, starting with the midday bottle (usually least attached to). Wait a few days, then drop another. Save bedtime for last. Takes 2-4 weeks but minimizes tears.

Cold turkey

Simply remove all bottles and offer only cups. Expect protest for 2-4 days. Works well for determined toddlers who might drag out a gradual approach. Be prepared to comfort without caving.