The 5 Step Plan for Weaning from Bottle to Sippy Cup

By Jacqueline Harris

Babies have a need for breast milk or formula exclusively for the first 4 to 6 months of life. This can be from the breast or bottle. When it comes time to wean from the bottle it is best if both mom and baby are ready for the weaning process. This process goes smoother if there is a plan in place to guide both baby and mom to a successful weaning.

The Plan

Step 1: Introduce

Introduce the Sippy Cup - this should be done early on. Let your baby start to learn how to hold and manipulate the handles of the sippy cup long before you plan on weaning. Put 1/2 to 1 oz. of (water, juice is ok early on), formula or milk in the sippy cup for your baby to experiment with. Praise your baby when they make any kind of attempt to touch, hold or drink from the sippy cup. It is best when you are weaning in earnest to use only milk or formula in the sippy cup because if your baby gets used to receiving milk or formula in a bottle and water or juice from a sippy cup early on, and then you try to convince them that it is ok to change this routine to having the milk/formula also from the cup you may have a fight on your hands because you are now changing a routine that they have become used to. It is preferred to use the water/juice only in the experimental, not really drinking baby stage of sippy cup usage.

A good age to introduce the sippy cup is around 9 months. This is the age when most babies experiment with finger foods and are learning eye hand coordination in feeding tasks.

Step 2: Prepare

Prepare for bottle weaning by reading all you can about the process. The more you understand about the physical and emotional needs of babies and toddlers the better prepared you will be for whatever lies ahead during your weaning process. Talk to other mothers locally or online who have weaned their kids successfully. Keep in mind that what works for one child may not work for another child. Gather weaning supplies in advance. Take a look at different cups for babies and toddlers.

Types of Sippy Cups

The best type to purchase is a sippy cup with handles, a spout and a snap-on-lid, which will minimize the amount of spills. This type of cup is referred to as a "sippy cup".

Step 3: Timing

The actual timing of the weaning should be when your baby is ready and giving signs of wanting to be independent at feeding times with finger foods. This independence can easily transfer over to using the cup instead of a bottle.

The process on average starts around the first birthday and is a gradual process. It could take as much as a few months to completely make the transition from bottle to cup.

Step 4: Expectations

Expect setbacks. Especially if emotional events take place in the child's life: a new baby in the family, a sibling goes to school, a parent leaves for an extended military or work leave of absence, a divorce, etc. These are emotional times and a child will want the security of a system that they are familiar with, like the bottle. Do not refuse to let your child seek what is familiar and safe during stressful times. Let your child guide you as to when they are ready to wean and when they may need to take a break.

Step 5: Individualize the Process

Each child is an individual and will go through life’s processes in their own way and time. Be prepared for the bedtime bottle to be the toughest transition, in the bottle weaning process. No two children or even siblings will wean in the same manner or at the same age or even at the same pace.