When should you switch from bottle to cup?

You can start practising with a cup from around 6 months, alongside the bottle. The real switch happens gradually and often runs until around the first birthday. You phase out the bottle step by step, at your child's own pace.

Why moving to a cup matters

Drinking from a cup asks for different movements than drinking from a bottle. Your child learns to swallow, close the lips and use the tongue well. According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, a regular cup helps children swallow better and later supports talking.

Teeth play a part too. Sipping from a bottle for a long time, especially something sweet, is not good for them. A cup turns drinking back into a short, calm moment.

When is your child ready?

The Dutch Nutrition Centre names 6 to 8 months as a good time to start practising. Most children drink without much spilling somewhere between 8 and 12 months. Above all, watch what your child shows you.

• They sit upright steadily in the high chair.
• They grab things and bring them to their mouth.
• They are curious about your glass or cup.

Age is a guide, not a deadline. One child drinks alone at ten months, another simply needs more time.

Which cup suits which step?

A spout cup feels familiar after the bottle. The non-spill sippy cup with soft spout is suitable from 6 months. Its spout mimics the feel of the bottle and the valve has two settings. Non-spill means liquid only comes out when your child sucks.

To be fair about it: a spout cup spills less, but your child learns less from it. An open cup teaches the most, yet makes more mess. A 360 degrees cup sits in between. Read which sippy cup suits a child who is learning to drink, or browse all drinking cups by age.

How to phase out the bottle calmly

Start with water in a cup at mealtimes. Then replace one bottle feed at a time, for example the afternoon bottle. Wait a few days before you swap the next one.

The bedtime bottle usually goes last. That moment is often about comfort, not thirst. A fixed routine with a book or a cuddly toy helps your child let go.

Does your child refuse the cup? That is completely normal. Try again later and keep drinking from a cup yourself as an example. If you have doubts about drinking, swallowing or growth, ask your health visitor or child health clinic.

Tip: pour just a little into the cup. That keeps things manageable when it tips over. Looking further ahead? Read when your baby is ready for an open cup.

Frequently asked questions

At what age should you stop the baby bottle?

Many children drink mostly from a cup around their first birthday. Phase out the bottle gradually, one feed at a time.

Which cup is best after the bottle?

A spout cup with a soft spout is often the easiest first step. After that, practise with a 360 degrees cup or an open cup.

How long does the switch from bottle to cup take?

Usually a few weeks to a few months. Replace one bottle feed at a time and give your child time to adjust.