When is a good time to start my child on a sippy cup?

Sara - posted on 01/13/2010

i started my son at 6 months it was a little tough with him because he knew i still had a bottle and i ended up giving it to him. Until someone told me he would drink out of the cup if he got thristy enough....So he went straight to the cup when he realized the bottle was not coming back...

Elizabeth - posted on 01/13/2010

i started cameron on a sippy when he was a year old. he through his bottle away and i gave him a sippy cup.

Nichole - posted on 01/13/2010

Our son wouldn't take a bottle because I've been nursing since birth. We tried a sippy cup at 4 months then again at 5 and then again at 6 and he finally took it. He's now 9 months and loves his sippy cup. We tried a couple different brands and we found that he especially like the cups that have a soft mouthpiece. Try a couple different ones and don't give up. He will eventually take right to it. Good luck!

Jessica - posted on 01/13/2010

I switched my daughter over to sippy cup around 10 months. The key was finding the right sippy cup. Once we did within a week she was off the bottle and on a sippy cup. We gave and/or threw away ALL of our bottles before her 1st birthday.

Stacey - posted on 01/13/2010

every kid is different mine starting holding his bottle around 6months and was fully on a sippy at a yr and now that hes 2 hes working on a regular cup

Megan - posted on 01/13/2010

no do not be concerned. at the age of 9 months he should start drinking his juice or water out of a sippy cup. and after your child turns a year they will fully be able to handle drinking their milk out of a sippy and then they shouldnt drink out of a bottle all together....your suppose to introduce the cup around 6 months but there is no reason to be concerned :)

Courtney - posted on 01/13/2010

I know you probably have everyone giving advice, but I'll go ahead and put my 2cents in... I started my son on a sippy cup when he was 4months old. He new how to drink out of it right away, Because the nipple of the sippy was like a bottle.. If they know how to hold a bottle, then sometimes it should be easy to start them on a sippy cup, Because they should know how to hold it.. Get one that has a soft nipple like a bottle and that has handles... I hope I could help...



Courtney Kloer

Chelsea - posted on 01/13/2010

my daughter started to hold her own bottle at 3 months, i started giving her a sippy at 4 months

Courtney - posted on 01/13/2010

the best time is around the age of 1! but start trying 2 get him 2 take it when he's a lil older then he is now and can hold the bottle/sippy on his own.

Cassandra - posted on 01/13/2010

I have 2 daughters ages 7 and 9 now but they started about 10 months old and I got rid of bottle and went with sippys that way they are not so use to bottle...through the day I gave them the sippy cup and at nap time and bedtime I gave them their bottle..I dont believe you should be concerned, I would ask your Dr. but I think he is fine hes still little I'd give him a few more months but occasionally I would introduce the sippy to him a few times a day !! Hope this helped ...Good luck....My daughters were off the bottle by 15 months old by introducing them to the sippy at a young age I didnt have to fight them at the age of 3 to get rid of the bottle lol!!

Melissa - posted on 01/13/2010

I started about five months about when they hold it

Amy - posted on 01/13/2010

I think you should start your son when you feel comfortable doing it, and he will show you signs that he is ready too. But I would wait till he can atleast hold onto his bottle first. My daughter was on a sippy cup around 5-6 months old. My son was a little later more like 18 months but he was an ultra premie and was behind on so much.But I would say to use your best judgement as a mother and thats really all you can do and you will be just fine just trust in what you do.

Jessica - posted on 01/13/2010

my son started using a sippy at 5 months by himself

Melissa - posted on 01/13/2010

Yes, put the good stuff in the sippy cup! it works. If he isnt glasping the concept of a sippy cup I say dont worry yet. He will get it soon.

Gina - posted on 01/13/2010

It is never too early! You should start him on it before he is one that way he will get used to it so he can give his bottle up.

Chelsi - posted on 01/13/2010

I started my son and daughter on sippy cups when they were 6 months old. :) By the time my son was 9 months he didn't want his bottle at all.

Kelli - posted on 01/13/2010

We started my son on it a 6 months, but he was able to hold the bottle when we started it. My only piece of advice is make sure you get the one with a soft spout. The gerber ones that say for 7mos beginners are terrific. The first sippy I picked up had a snap on lid and a hard spout, my poor baby busted his gums on it, and I can never get the lid off!!!!!!!! So that didn't go so well, but then I bought the Gerber soft spout with a twist on lid and we're doing great, I just give him one sippy with 1/2 juice 1/2 water everyday and he sips at it all throughout the day.

Angela - posted on 01/13/2010

I started both my children at 5 months. They both caught on really fast.

Andrea - posted on 01/13/2010

My children were a year old when I switched them. I gave them one to use during the day but they didn't really get it. At a year old that is all I gave them and they caught on.

Barbara - posted on 01/13/2010

I think your baby is fine. If he isn't holding a bottle or anything yet its ok. Just keep showing him by putting it in his hands everytime you feed him. They have sippy cups with two handels on them if you want to try to use one. He will get it and you will be wondering why was i worried.

Brittany - posted on 01/13/2010

I started my daughter with the transitional sippy cup around 7 months, each child is different and develops in their own time so don't be worried!

Marissa - posted on 01/12/2010

My son was 6 months old when I first gave him a sippy, it had handles on each side, he didnt know what to do wit em at first, but after I put his hands on em and made him grasp the handles, he caught on quickly..After that it was pretty much bye bye bottle except for right before bed....But if ur son isnt ready then he isnt ready yet, its okay, he will get the concept eventually.

Katie - posted on 01/12/2010

I have 3 kids and with all 3 when it was time for juice then it was also time for the cup (usually 6mths)! Do you told his bottle for him? I hear it makes them lazy and they won't want to hold the bottle...and please don't be offended...I held my eldest child's and had to learn the hard way...but introducing the sippy cup at 6mths worked for me and all of my children were off of their bottles by the time they were 12mths!!

Libby - posted on 01/12/2010

When they hold the bottle well by themselves is the best time to transition!! Good Luck!

Brandy - posted on 01/12/2010

Hey you:) I started giving Ali a cup about 2mo ago. I just put a little juice and water in it and let her have it. She played with it for quite some time before getting the hang of it. Just make sure it's a spill proof one so he's not getting everything messy. I have found that the ones with the soft nipples work better to start them out and gradually move to the harder plastic. And it all depends on him whether the handles are a good idea or not. Ali doesn't like them. Good Luck♥

Rhianna - posted on 01/12/2010

Don't worry, it'll come with time. Every child is different, but just help him along. Put his hands on the bottle, then help him prop it up. I did it so my daughter couldn't even see me holding it, eventually she just took it from me on her own. I started giving her a sippy cup with a silicone spout about 8/9 months old. Once she hit a year, she just no longer got bottles. I don't think she ever even missed them.

Chelsea - posted on 01/12/2010

we started my son at 5 and a half months ans hes taking to it fantasticly.

Nora - posted on 01/12/2010

Most babies even if they cant yet hold their bottle like the idea of having a sippy cup introduced at meal times around six months of age. You can just have it be accessable to your baby and see what he does. it may take a few weeks or even months for him to totally grasp the idea but six months is the recomended age by the AAP.

Rowena - posted on 01/12/2010

don't be conserned, is he holding on to toys he will get the idea soon he is only 6 months old my nephew still wont hold his own bottle cause he love's haveing snuggles with his mother just keep trying him with the sippie cup just give it to him and let him try and figure it out himself.

Danielle - posted on 01/12/2010

I started both my kids on cups when they turned 1 years old.

Kimberly - posted on 01/12/2010

I started intoducing the sippy cup to my daughter around 6 months so no it is not too early. I bought these transition cups from NUK I believe they had a very soft spout and she loved them!!! They also had these handles on the sides for easy gripping. But after one year of age I took away the bottle all together.

Rebecca - posted on 01/12/2010

I didn't take my daughter off the bttl until she was 1 year old. I stopped giving her bttls and she just started taking the sippy.

Kristen - posted on 01/12/2010

I started both of my kids at about 6 months old. By the time they are ready to completely let go of the bottle they are experts at all the sippy's!

Tenisha - posted on 01/12/2010

i gave both of my boys sippy cup around 4 months just so that they could figure them out. btwn 6-8 months they had the hang of them. dont b worried every child is different. at least u know 2 start him on a sippy. GOOD LUCK:)

Crystal S. - posted on 01/12/2010

I started as soon as they turned a year old...I was afraid of the risks of tooth decay...but every mother knows when theyre lil ones are ready...just introduce it to them and he/she will take to it...

Erin - posted on 01/12/2010

I started my son on one at 7 months.

Kendra - posted on 01/12/2010

You should let him try the sippy's that have the handles first. Those might be the easiest. With all of my kids we let them have sippy's while they were in their high chairs. He might not get anything out of it, but it is good for the experience.
Good luck!

Aryn - posted on 01/12/2010

I started my kids on a sippy cup around 6 or 7 months but they were never fully on one until they were between a year and a half and 2.. every kids is different so you just have to start when you think they r ready

Emma - posted on 01/12/2010

my son started using a sippy cup at 4 months old!! he is now 5 months!! you can now get first sippy cups from 4 months by Vital Baby (thats the one i use and its excellent) or tommee tipppee!! the only problem is u have to find one that ur son takes 2 cos it is a big change!! my son has brekkie and dinner!! and he has his sippy cup in with water!! and he does really well!! You shoudnt be conceren about ur so ot being able to hold his bottle yet!! and if i was u i wouldnt get him 2 start holding it!! many proffesions say that if ur baby holds there bottle!! it can prolong sucking and cause dental issues in future & that they can get even more attached to it!! and will be harder to get rid.. my son has also started drinking milk from his sippy cup 2!! with his afternoon feed!! i started on 1oz in his sippy cup and then slowly working my way up!! he is on 2oz now...and im going to top it up an oz every few weeks so he gets used to it... i always introduce the sippy cup first!! and he enjoys it!! ans mybe ur son can learn to hold that!! and eventully ill put my son o a 6months sippy cup which can hold more oz!! he has 6oz every 4-5 hours!! and then once my son can take the whole 6 oz from his cup!! i will slowly replace his bottles one by one with his cup!! its a grreat way to do!! theres no need to water down juice or milk!! water is best for baby!! 2nd 2 breast!! and plus its good for them!! if ur baby doesnt like water try cooled boiled water with pure juice not concentrated and water it down!! chick this website out!! www.vitalbaby.co.uk they are excellent and really cheap 2!! i hope this helps all the best xxx

Jen - posted on 01/12/2010

I believe the sooner the better,w/ my 1st child it was hard and i didnt realise that i should have taken it away alot sooner. i thought he's happy w/ the bottle whats the bi deal?!! well it is the longer they have a bottle the worse it is for their teeth, rather it only be water or not in it. Even if your son doesnt have teeth yet it may cause damage to them through the gums.

Try to give him a sippy w/ handles, this will help him to hold it. you can also do the same w/ a bottle they make them w/ handles as well. start off by giving the sippy just a few times a day, like breakfast time or any snack or meal time. that way he'll get use to it. By 9 months he should and could be using the cup full time during the days w/ his meals. Only using the bottle for added feedings since they are asked to stay on breastmilk or formula til they are about a year.
with my youngest i broke him of his bottle at 11month, he was use to the cup from days, the hard part was nights but all it took was one whole week...i put all the bottles away and throw them out. that way i would be tempted to give in if he cried and have to start over & not having them in the house helped cuz in order to give him one i would've had to go to the store and buy one!!! so that really does help..after a few days he realised all there was were sippys so it was take it or leave it. by the end of one week it was over 11months and no more bottles :)

my only prob now is, he likes his sippy so much he brings a cup of water to bed w/ him each night!!!! he is now 3 so i need to figure out the next step to break this, lol.. Good luck hun, it takes time. just remember to stay strong!

Michelle - posted on 01/12/2010

no not really i would started when he 10 months old all my boys was drinking a sipie cup at 1

Terrah - posted on 01/12/2010

6-7m

Haze - posted on 01/12/2010

hi i gave my 6 month old a wee cuppy at 4 months, come with a handle at each side,, i jus fill it with fresh boiled water , she just puts it to her mouth and throws it off walker , and if it leaks it only water ,
she can put it to mouth but doesnt quit know how to suck out anything yet, but least she trying lol

Schollin - posted on 01/12/2010

we probably started allowing my son to use sippy cups around 6 months with bottles but once he turned one we threw it all away. He went straight to cups without llids unless riding in the car or at some ones house w/ carpet (dentists recommend the babu not be on bottles or sippy cups too long because it messes with teeth formation)

Sara - posted on 01/11/2010

Have you tried a cup with handles....it helps the baby get a grip on the cup. Of course you could always wait a few weeks and try again...he just might not be ready. I did that with my daughter, the first time I attempted she didn't really get it...I waited a month and tried again. Now she gets excited when she sees her cup even if she isn't really thirsty!

Jennell - posted on 01/11/2010

I started all my kids on a sippy cup at 9 months so that when they were done nursing/bottles at 12 months they were fine with the sippy cups. Worked very well. I don't think 6 month is to early to introduce the sippy if your child responds well to taking it.

Ariel - posted on 01/11/2010

Both of my babies started the sippy cup at 4 months and by 1 they are done with the bottle and jus use the sippy cup.

Ashley - posted on 01/11/2010

My sons 7 months, we started a sippy at 6 months. He loves it! Although he doesn't understand that you have to tilt your head back to drink somethings so I usually hold it and tilt it for him

Michelle - posted on 01/11/2010

I started my girl at 6 months. She was teething and still is now at 8 1/2 months. I try to give her the cup now and then, but she just holds it and chews on it. I wouldn't worry..best of luck!

Amber - posted on 01/11/2010

I would not be worried about. kids do thing at their own pace. my 3 yr old was on a sippy at 3 months and my 1 yr old is just now getting the hang of one.