From Bottles to Cups to Straws: Everything You Need To Know About Feeding Transitions

By the NAPS experts Emily Silver, NP-C, IBCLC and Jamie O'Day, RN, IBCLC

If you’ve ever looked at the sippy cup aisle in the baby section and thought, “How are there this many options for something so small?”, you’re not alone. Transitioning from bottles to cups (and eventually to straws) seems straightforward — until you’re standing there wondering what type of cup, when to start and how to get your baby to actually drink from it.

The truth is, this is one of those milestones that’s part practical skill, part messy experiment and part patience. And while there’s no single “right” path, knowing the general guidelines and tips can make the process a whole lot smoother (and a little less sticky).

Why the Bottle-to-Cup Transition Matters More Than You Think

When we think about baby bottles vs. cups, most of us are focused on one thing — getting fluids into our child. But this transition is about more than just drinking; it supports:

• Oral motor development: Drinking from open cups and straws helps babies coordinate their tongue, lips, jaw and palate. These skills play a big role in speech development.

• Dental health: Extended use of bottles and sippy cups can contribute to tooth decay, especially if they’re used with milk or juice for long periods.

• Independence: Handling different types of cups builds hand-eye coordination and gives your little one confidence in feeding themselves.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) generally recommends starting to offer cups around six months and fully weaning from bottles by 12–18 months — but remember, this is a guideline, not a hard-and-fast rule.

Step One: Introducing a Cup (Around 6 Months)

Around six months, when your baby is starting solids, is the perfect time to introduce a cup. At this stage, the goal isn’t how much they drink, but simply getting them familiar with it. Babies are naturally curious, and even a few sips help build comfort, coordination and muscle memory for later.

Here are some of the best first cups to offer:

• Handled sippy cups: Designed with easy-to-hold handles, so little hands can grip and control them more confidently.

• Small open cups: Perfect for supervised mealtime practice, helping babies learn to sip without a lid and build coordination.

• Soft spout cups: Gentle on sensitive gums, especially comforting for teething babies while still encouraging drinking skills.

Pro Tip: Put a little water in the cup (breastmilk or infant formula is fine, too) and let them experiment. And add ice if they’re teething; it’s soothing and makes a fun rattling noise when they shake it.

When introducing a cup, expect a little chaos. Spills will happen, and at first, your baby might treat it more like a chew toy than a drinking vessel. Some days they’ll happily sip away, while other days they might ignore it altogether — and that’s perfectly normal. It’s all part of the learning process.

Step Two: Adding Variety With Straw Cups (6–9 Months)

Between six and nine months, start offering different types of cups, including straw cups. The variety helps your baby develop different muscle skills and coordination. Straw cups are especially great because:

• They encourage proper tongue positioning, an important factor in developing healthy oral motor skills.

• They require more active sucking than other cups, helping to build strength in your baby’s mouth, jaw and cheek muscles.

• Compared to open cups, they tend to reduce spills, making them a practical choice for messy learning stages.

But … what if they have no idea what to do with the straw? Here’s a simple straw teaching hack:

• Fill a regular straw completely with water to prepare it for use.
• Seal the top of the straw with your finger to trap the water inside and prevent it from flowing out immediately.
• Gently place the straw at the front of your baby’s mouth, allowing them to get comfortable with its position.
• Slowly release your finger so that a small amount of water drips into their mouth, giving them a taste.
• Most babies will instinctively start to suck once they experience that first sip, and their natural curiosity will often encourage them to try again on their own.

Some babies take to straw cups almost immediately and master them right away, while others might take longer (sometimes up to 18 months) to get the hang of it. Either way, this range is completely normal. The key is to keep offering the straw cup regularly and continue modeling how to use it, so your little one learns by watching and practicing.

Step Three: Open Cup Practice (Ongoing)

Open cups are a skill worth practicing regularly, even if your baby only takes a few sips at a time. Using an open cup encourages lip closure and controlled sipping, which helps develop the oral motor skills essential for speech. Plus, it gives your child a sense of independence during mealtimes as they learn to manage the cup on their own.

Here are a few tips for getting started:

• Start by offering only tiny amounts of water to your baby, which helps keep spills manageable and reduces mess during those early attempts.

• Choose a small, lightweight cup that’s easy for little hands to hold. There are also specially designed trainer open cups made just for babies learning this skill.

• Always supervise your baby closely while they’re using an open cup to ensure their safety and provide gentle guidance as they learn.

The reality check is this: Yes, your floor will get wet more times than you can count. Yes, your little one will probably “waterfall” the cup’s contents down their chin, shirt and maybe even the high chair tray. But that’s learning in action!

How To Choose the Right Cup for Your Baby

With so many options out there, it helps to know the pros and cons of each:

• Handled sippy cups are easy for little hands to grip and generally spill-resistant, making them ideal for beginners between six and nine months. However, they don’t encourage as much oral muscle development as some other cup types.

• Soft spout cups are gentle on sensitive gums, which is especially helpful for teething babies around six to 12 months. On the downside, if used too long, they can encourage prolonged sucking habits similar to those associated with bottles.

• Straw cups support oral motor development and usually result in fewer spills than open cups. Because some babies find them tricky to master at first, they are best suited for babies aged six to 18 months.

• Open cups help develop real sipping skills and promote the oral muscle coordination needed for speech. However, they can be quite messy and require close supervision, so they’re generally recommended for babies six months and older.

• Weighted straw cups, also suitable from six months and up, are designed to work at any angle, making it easier for babies to drink even when the cup is tilted. The only drawback is that they can be a bit more challenging to clean due to the weighted straw mechanism.

When Is It Time To Fully Transition Away From Bottles?

Most pediatricians recommend saying goodbye to bottles between 12 and 18 months, and this advice extends to sippy cups that closely mimic bottles as well. The reasons behind this recommendation are important for both dental health and speech development. 

Prolonged sucking on bottles or bottle-like cups, especially when filled with milk or sugary liquids, can increase the risk of cavities and other dental issues. Additionally, using open cups and straw cups encourages important tongue and jaw movements that bottles don’t promote, helping support the oral muscle development necessary for clear speech as your child grows. 

If your little one is deeply attached to their bottle, a gradual weaning approach tends to be more successful and gentle than going cold turkey, allowing them to adjust at their own pace.

A Step-by-Step Weaning Plan

Many parents find a gradual, gentle approach to weaning from bottles the most effective and least stressful for both baby and caregiver. Here’s a simple plan to help ease the transition:

• Week 1: Replace one daytime bottle, often the mid-morning or mid-afternoon feeding, with a cup. This gives your baby a chance to practice during a time when they’re usually more alert and receptive.

• Week 2: Swap out another daytime bottle, while continuing to offer morning and bedtime bottles for comfort and familiarity. This gradual change helps your child adjust without feeling rushed.

• Weeks 3–4: Replace the morning bottle next, saving the bedtime bottle for last, since it often has the strongest emotional attachment.

Pro Tip: Pair offering the new cup with a cozy, comforting routine (like reading a favorite book or cuddling) to help your child feel secure and ease the transition.

Troubleshooting Common Challenges

If your little one is struggling with the switch from bottle to cup, don’t worry — it’s a common challenge. Here are some practical tips to help you navigate the most common hiccups and keep the process moving forward smoothly:

• Your baby refuses the cup: Offer the cup when they’re a little thirsty but not overly hungry or upset. Let them explore and play with it outside of mealtimes so they get familiar with it without pressure.

• They just chew on the spout or straw: This is totally normal, especially if they’re teething. Keep offering the cup regularly, as chewing helps them get used to it.

• They spill constantly: Try spill-resistant cups or ones with weighted straws to help reduce mess. Make sure your baby is sitting upright and give only small amounts during practice.

• They only want milk in the bottle: Offer milk in the cup at usual bottle times and gradually reduce how often the bottle is available until the cup becomes the new habit.

Pro Tips To Make Transitions Easier (and Less Messy)

Transitioning to cups can feel overwhelming, but a few simple strategies can make the process smoother and less messy for everyone. These pro tips will help you and your baby build new drinking skills with confidence and a little less cleanup:

• Keep a cup available during meals, playtime and outings so your baby gets plenty of chances to practice throughout the day. Familiarity makes learning easier.

• Let your baby explore their cup by mouthing, banging and tipping it around. This hands-on play helps build coordination — even if it gets a bit messy.

• Choose spill-resistant cups to reduce mess, but make sure they still require active sipping or sucking to support oral muscle development.

• Model drinking yourself often — babies love to imitate, so sipping from a straw or open cup alongside them encourages their interest.

• Always have wipes and a towel nearby to quickly clean up spills. Embracing the mess as part of learning helps keep things low-stress for everyone.

It’s About Progress, Not Perfection

There’s no perfect timeline and no one-size-fits-all cup. Some kids love straw cups instantly, some prefer open cups and others take their time with both. The real key? Keep offering, keep modeling and keep it low-pressure. If your floor is soaked, your baby is soaked and everyone’s a little sticky… you’re doing it right.

At Bobbie, we know feeding isn’t just about nutrition; it’s about connection and milestones that happen one sip at a time. Whether you’re breastfeeding, formula-feeding or a mix of both, we’re here to support you through every transition.

And if you still have questions about cups, straws or anything in between, our friends at The Feeding Room host weekly free feeding support groups — an amazing space to learn, share and get expert guidance.

The content on this site is for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Discuss any health or feeding concerns with your infant’s pediatrician. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay it based on the content on this page.