Once your baby nears her first birthday, it is time to introduce a cup and wean her from the bottle. Because it takes considerably more time for a baby to empty a bottle, the liquid has more opportunity to linger in the mouth, where it pools around the teeth and increases the risk of tooth decay. Drinking from a cup reduces this risk. Getting your baby to give up her bottle will likely require a lot of time and patience, but the process typically goes more smoothly the earlier you begin.
Step 1
Begin by offering your baby a trainer cup with a non-spill valve, two large handles and a nipple-shaped spout. The large handles enable your baby to grip the cup easily, and the spout closely resembles the shape and size of a nipple. She is ready to play and experiment with a trainer cup as soon as she can sit up independently and shows some interest in using her hands during mealtime.
Step 2
Fill the cup with about 2 oz. of water and let your baby explore it with her hands and mouth. Show her how to tip it and hold it, but do not pressure her to drink from it right away.
Step 3
Offer her the cup with meals and before she has a bottle. She is more likely to drink from the cup if she is thirsty than if she has just finished a bottle. Be patient. Learning to drink from a cup takes time and requires hand and mouth movements your baby is not accustomed to performing.
Step 4
Remove the valve if your baby becomes frustrated after several minutes of trying to drink. These valves significantly increase the amount of sucking required, which is great for preventing spills but it can be discouraging for many babies. If spills are a problem, put a bib on her or cover her with a towel before giving her the cup.
Step 5
Try different cup sizes and shapes if your baby still refuses to drink from the cup after several weeks of trying. Cups are available with and without handles and some come with straws instead of spouts.
Step 6
Replace the midday bottle with a cup of formula or breast milk as soon as your baby is able to drink at least some liquid from the cup. Your baby should be getting her nutritional needs met through solid foods after her first birthday, according to UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, which means any bottles she drinks are necessary only for the water they provide. Provided your baby does not begin urinating less than usual or show other signs of dehydration, missing a bottle or two during the day is not unhealthy.
Step 7
Substitute the cup for a second bottle after about one week. Continue on this schedule until your baby is no longer taking any bottles. Pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene explains that the nighttime bottle is generally the most difficult for babies to give up and that it may take as long as six months before your baby is completely weaned.
Things You'll Need
- Trainer cup with valve and handles
- Bib
