Quick answer
Start by introducing a small, weighted open cup with just a sip of water during meals, then gradually increase the liquid volume as your baby learns to control the tilt and swallow.
Why open cups before sippy cups?
Open cups help your baby develop proper oral motor skills, including lip closure, tongue control, and coordinated swallowing. Sippy cups with spouts can delay these skills and sometimes encourage a forward tongue thrust. Starting with an open cup around 6 months (when solids begin) builds a healthy drinking foundation.
Step-by-step transition process
- Start with a tiny amount: Fill an open cup with just 1–2 teaspoons of water or expressed milk. Hold the cup for your baby, tilting it gently so the liquid touches their lower lip. Let them take a sip and swallow before tilting more. Common mistake: offering too much liquid too soon, which causes gagging or spilling.
- Model the motion: Sit face-to-face with your baby and take a sip from your own open cup. Exaggerate the lip closure and swallowing motion. Babies learn by imitation, so seeing you drink from a cup helps them understand the action. Checkpoint: your baby should watch your mouth and may try to mimic the movement.
- Let them hold the cup: Once your baby shows interest, place both their hands on the cup while you still support the base. Gradually reduce your grip so they feel the weight and tilt themselves. Expect spills—use a bib and floor mat. Common mistake: taking over too quickly when they wobble; let them practice controlling the tilt.
- Introduce a handled trainer cup: After your baby can manage a few sips from an open cup with your help, offer a trainer cup with handles, like the Tommee Tippee Basics First Cup. The handles give them independent grip, and the fold-down spout is less leaky than a full open cup during the learning phase. Checkpoint: your baby should be able to bring the cup to their mouth and tilt it without your hand on the cup.
- Gradually phase out bottles: Replace one bottle feeding per day with a cup feeding—start with the midday meal, when your baby is alert and not too hungry. Over 2–4 weeks, replace the remaining bottle feedings. Keep the cup routine consistent (same time, same place). Common mistake: stopping bottles cold turkey, which can cause refusal and dehydration; go slow.
Products that help
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Munchkin Open Cups – 4 Pack: Case size: 4 Cups. Colours are as seen in picture and can’t be separated. A set of four small open cups lets you rotate for hygiene and practice, and the fixed colours make it easy for your child to recognise their own cup.
Munchkin Open Cups – 4 Pack
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Tommee Tippee “First Cup” Trainer Cups 1×4: Kids love the easy to hold handles on the Tommee Tippee Basics First Cup, while mums love the fold down, leakproof spout – ideal for travel. Graduations on the side of the cup, including two helpful juice lines, so you can accurately measure out the 1:10 juice to water ratio. The handles give your child a secure grip during the transition, and the leakproof spout is handy when you are on the go, while the juice lines help you follow dental health guidelines.
Tommee Tippee “First Cup” Trainer Cups 1×4
