How to Transition from a Bottle to a Sippy Cup

by Kenny S. Expert Blogger

Your baby is getting older and you're beginning to wonder when the right time is to start giving them a sippy cup. Well, in this article I will be discussing when the right time is to transition, what signs you can look out for from your baby, and how to transition. Hopefully, you will find all the information you need in this article. If you have any more questions feel free to comment them below. We will try to answer them as best we can All you other mummies feel free to help each other and answer their questions too.

 

When Is The Right Time To Transition?

 

Most babies are ready to transition to a sippy cup between 6 and 9 months old. Ideally, your baby is only on sippy cups by the time they are 12 months old. It has been found that most babies are ready by the time they are 9 months old, but don't worry if this isn't the case for you. Every baby is different and some can wait till months after their first birthdays. Read below to see some signs to look out for to know if your baby is ready or if it is too soon for them.

 

Is My Baby Ready For A Sippy Cup?

 

Signs that your baby could be ready for a sippy cup includes:

 

1- They can sit up by themselves

 

It is said that babies who can sit up by themselves may be ready to use a sippy cup. This is because it is thought that they have the correct motor skills to be able to drink from one of these rather than a normal baby bottle. It is however important that they can sit up unattended to reduce the risk of your baby choking. Do not let your baby drink from a sippy cup if they have just started sitting up on their own. Wait until they are more stable.

 

2- Your baby is at least 6 months old

 

Before the age of 6 months, your baby should only be drinking formula or breast milk. Therefore there is no need to introduce a new cup. It is ideal to introduce a new cup as new drinks are being introduced. From the age of 6 months is ideal as this is when your baby can start drinking baby juice. I would separate the milk and juice so only the juice is in the sippy cup. This is so your baby does not get confused between what they are getting.

 

3- They are eating solid food

 

If your baby is eating solid foods this is a good sign that they are ready for a sippy cup. If they have taken to solid foods well, introducing a new sippy cup may be good for them. Them eating solid foods shows that they are ready to be transitioning away from their milk and bottles. They should be just as accepting of this new liquid as they were food.

 

4- They can eat from a spoon

 

If your baby can eat from a spoon without choking or spitting their food out, they may be ready for a sippy cup. This shows that your baby has dropped their tongue-thrust reflex and will be more accepting of a sippy cup. Also if your baby is feeding themselves from a spoon, they will be ready to transition to a sippy cup.

 

5- They can grasp things

 

If your baby is grasping items such as finger foods or toys then they may be ready to transition to a sippy cup. This is a sign that they will be able to hold the cup themselves and drink from it with little assistance. As they are becoming more independent they should be ready to use a new sippy cup. It's time to find the  It's time to find the best sippy cup for your baby.

 

If your baby is pulling away from the new sippy cup and is not accepting the change, don't worry. It is completely normal for your baby to not be ready for a sippy cup straight away. Just wait and be patient. One day they will surprise you and ask for a different cup. Continue to offer your baby their sippy cup with their meals, but if they still do not accept allow them to have a break. Try again in another few weeks.

 

Making The Transition

 

Making the transition to a sippy cup can be very daunting. I have some top tips for you on making the transition easier and less stressful for you and your baby. Some of my tips may work for you and some may not Try them out and let me know what you think.

 

1- Begin by introducing your baby's milk in their sippy cup. I would suggest doing this as this is a taste that your baby is familiar with. Allow them to get used to drinking their milk from this new cup before introducing new tastes like baby juice.

 

2- Put some milk onto the spout of your sippy cup. By doing this you are allowing your baby to again taste a familiar taste. This will encourage them to suck from the new cup. You will only need to do this the first few times as they will begin to get used to sucking to get the milk or juice out

 

3- Offer them their milk in their normal bottle but the last couple of ounces in their sippy cup. This will again help them to get used to the different sucking technique. You will know that they are still drinking enough milk. But by offering them this last bit in a new cup it will allow them to learn how to suck on it.

 

4- Once they are used to the new cup only offer them juice in it. I say to only offer them juice in their new sippy cup after a while as this will stop them from getting confused as to whether they are getting juice or milk. I like to keep one kind of bottle for milk and another for juice. This will also help your baby understand when it is meal time and when it is bedtime or nap time. Having different bottles or cups for different times of the day will help them to learn their routine. 

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Created on Apr 11th 2020 23:08. Viewed 198 times.

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