When you think that your baby is ready to make the transition from eating from the breast or a bottle to drinking from a cup, it can be a tough adjustment for both of you. Sucking is a natural instinct in babies, and they have to learn how to drink from a cup. They can have problems learning to handle the different kind of flow and the larger amounts of liquid, so be prepared to be patient.
Step 1
Buy a sippy cup that has a wide spout for drinking at the top and handles on both sides. This will make it easier for your baby to grip the cup and help prevent spilling.
Step 2
Pour some formula or breast milk into the cup. Your baby will likely have an easier time learning how to drink a familiar liquid.
Step 3
Show your baby how to lift the cup to her mouth and tilt it so the liquid comes out slowly but enough to get a drink. Make sure she doesn't tip the cup too quickly and douse herself, because that could scare her and make her less willing to try the cup.
Step 4
Have a towel on hand, because there are sure to be spills and messes. Don’t stress over spilt liquid. It’s all part of your baby’s learning process.
Step 5
Let your baby watch you drink out of a sippy cup. Babies love to mimic what their parents and siblings do, so showing your baby how it works can help her understand what she’s supposed to do with the cup.
Step 6
Let your baby play with the cup. It’s a new object, and babies naturally want to explore new things. The more familiar your baby gets with the cup and how it works, the more likely he is to have success learning how to drink properly.
Step 7
Introduce new liquids such as water once your baby has the hang of drinking from the sippy cup. After several months of successful drinking without too much spilling, try a regular cup. You’ll need that towel again for spills and messes.
Tips and Warnings
- If your baby doesn't get it at first, don't worry. Babies develop differently. Put the sippy cup away for a few weeks, and try it again later.
Things You'll Need
- Sippy cup
