Babies should start learning to drink from a cup around 6 months old, when solid foods begin. Traditional spout sippy cups are not recommended; small open cups or straw cups are better first choices.
Starting your baby on a cup at 6 months helps with oral motor development and makes the eventual bottle weaning much smoother. Most parents hear “sippy cup” and reach for the classic spouted version, but that’s actually the one to skip. Pediatric guidelines recommend small open cups or straw cups instead. A baby who starts late — after 9 to 12 months — often has a harder time giving up the bottle, so the timing matters more than you might expect.
When Is a Baby Ready for a Cup?
Readiness for cup drinking is about physical development, not a specific birthday. Most babies are ready at or just after 6 months of age. Look for these signs: the ability to sit without support, holding objects steadily, bringing objects to the mouth, and showing curiosity about what you’re drinking. If your baby is sitting in a high chair and grabbing at your water glass, that’s the green light.
If you wait until 9 to 12 months to start, the bottle habit is more established and the transition will be harder. Starting earlier, even if it’s messy at first, is easier on everyone.
What Kind of Cup Works Best for a First Cup?
Traditional spout sippy cups — the ones with a hard plastic spout and a spill-proof valve — are actively not recommended. The sucking motion on a spout is too similar to a bottle, which doesn’t help the baby learn a new drinking skill. The spout can also affect tooth alignment and encourage liquid pooling around teeth, which causes cavities.
| Cup Type | Why It Works or Doesn’t | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Small open cup (shot-glass size) | Teaches true drinking motion; best for oral development | First cup at 6 months, with supervision |
| Straw cup | Good alternative; uses different oral muscles than bottle | Babies who resist open cups; fine for 6+ months |
| 360° cup (rimless | Bites edge to drink; still a learning tool | Transition after open or straw cup |
| Traditional spout sippy cup | Sucking motion mimics bottle; linked to dental issues | Avoid as a first cup |
For a first cup, start with a small open cup (about 2 ounces) or a straw cup. Tiny open cups help the baby learn to tip and swallow, which builds the oral motor skills they need for speech and eating solid foods. See our favorite first cups for babies for specific product recommendations.
How to Teach a Baby to Drink From a Cup
The process is simple, but it takes patience. Use the hand-over-hand technique: place your hand over your baby’s hands on the cup, guide the cup to their lips, help them tip just enough to get a sip, and then help bring it back down between drinks. Don’t rush. Expect more liquid on the bib than in the mouth for the first few weeks.
For straw cups, the key is position. Make sure your baby is sitting upright, not reclining. Place the straw on the front center of the tongue, not the tip of the tongue. Some babies get the hang of straw drinking quickly; others need more practice. If your baby seems frustrated after a few tries, stop and try again the next day.
How Much and What to Put in a Cup
HealthyChildren.org recommends offering water in cups between meals, with breast milk or formula at meals. Babies 6 to 12 months only need a few ounces of water daily — breast milk or formula is still the primary source of nutrition. Do not put juice, cow’s milk, or sugary drinks in a cup at this age. And never let a baby take a cup to bed: any liquid besides water that pools in the mouth overnight will cause cavities.
Limit cup use to meal and snack times. This keeps drinking tied to eating and prevents the baby from walking around with a cup, which makes a mess and teaches poor habits. The bottle-to-cup transition should be complete by 12 to 18 months. By 18 to 24 months, most children are comfortable with open cups or straw cups.
FAQs
What if my baby refuses the cup?
Stop and try again later — resistance is normal, especially between 6 and 9 months. Offer the cup for just one meal a day at first. You can also let your baby practice with an empty cup during play to build familiarity before adding liquid. Consistency works better than pressure.
How much water does a 6-month-old need from a cup?
Only a few ounces daily. Breast milk or formula provides nearly all the hydration a baby needs until 12 months. The cup is for learning, not for thirst. A few sips of water at each meal is enough; too much water can interfere with nutrient absorption from milk or formula.
Can a baby skip the sippy cup entirely?
Yes — many babies go straight from bottle to open cup or straw cup and never use a spout sippy cup at all. Pediatricians and speech therapists actually prefer this path because it develops more mature drinking muscles and avoids the dental problems spout cups can cause. The traditional sippy cup is optional, not required.
References & Sources
- HealthyChildren.org (AAP). “Discontinuing the Bottle.” Official pediatric guidance on when and how to transition from bottle to cup, including age recommendations.