When do you switch from the baby bottle to a drinking cup?

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

Why the switch to a cup matters

Drinking from a cup requires different movements than drinking from a bottle. Your child learns to swallow, close their lips and use their tongue well. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum), drinking from a regular cup helps a child learn to swallow better and, later, to talk.

There's another factor: the teeth. Drinking from a bottle for a long time, especially something sweet, isn't good for the teeth. A cup makes drinking a short, calm moment again.

When is your child ready?

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

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

Age is a guideline, not a deadline. One child drinks independently at ten months, another needs more time.

Which cup suits which step?

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

To be honest: a sippy cup spills less, but your child learns less from it. An open cup teaches the most, but gives more mess. A 360 degree cup sits in between. Read which cup suits which age in how to choose the right cup. Also read which sippy cup suits a child who is just learning to drink, or view all drinking cups.

How to phase out the bottle calmly

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

The bottle before bedtime usually goes last. That moment is often about comfort, not thirst. A regular ritual with a book or cuddly toy helps your child then.

Does your child refuse the cup? That's completely normal. Try again later and keep drinking from a cup yourself as an example. Unsure about drinking, swallowing or growth? Ask your child health clinic.

Tip: only put a little in the cup. That keeps things manageable if something goes wrong. Want to look further ahead? Read how your child learns to drink from an open cup.

Frequently asked questions

At what age do you stop the baby bottle?

Many children mainly drink from a cup around their first birthday. You phase out the bottle gradually, one feeding moment at a time.

Which cup is best after the bottle?

A sippy cup with a soft spout is often the easiest first step. After that, you practise with a 360 degree 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 moment at a time and give your child time to get used to it.