Learning to drink from an open cup: when and how do you start?

You can start with an open cup when your baby sits upright on their own, is interested in your glass and brings their hands purposefully to their mouth. For many babies that is from around 6 months. Start with a little water in a light cup, hold the cup together and let your little one take small sips. Spilling and sucking on the rim are all part of it.

These signs show your baby is ready

• Your baby sits upright on their own.
• Your baby is curious about your glass or cup.
• Your baby brings objects purposefully to their mouth.
• Your little one spills less with a sippy cup or non-spill cup.

Holding the cup isn't working well yet? That's normal. Try again in a few weeks.

Why is drinking from an open cup good?

From an open cup, your child drinks without sucking. This way your little one practises a new way of drinking, using the lips and tongue. An open cup is often finished in one go, instead of small sips from a bottle or sippy cup all day long. This means the teeth come into contact with sugars from milk or other drinks less often.

How to teach your baby to drink from an open cup

1. Choose a calm moment at the table, when your baby is sitting upright and relaxed.
2. Put a little water in the cup. Small sips are easier with just a little in the cup than with a full one.
3. Hold the cup together and tilt it slowly, so your little one takes a sip themselves.
4. Let go of the cup more and more often, so your child learns to lift and tilt it themselves.
5. Practise briefly and often. A few minutes at a time is enough.

Does your little one often choke on thin drinks? Then practise with something thicker first, such as rice porridge.

From bottle to cup: step by step

The bottle doesn't have to disappear straight away. Offer the open cup more and more often and gradually reduce the baby bottle. Your child doesn't feel like practising one day? Just skip it and try again later. Forcing it is counterproductive.

Which cup do you choose for practising?

Choose a small, light cup that fits well in little hands. Handles give extra grip. The Difrax LOVI Genius Training Cup is made for children from 6 months. Thanks to the shape of the rim, your child drinks upright without tilting their head back. The slow-flow insert slows down the flow, so your child drinks calmly. Without the insert, you use it as a regular open cup. Also see the other drinking cups or read how to choose the right cup.

Tips for less spilling

• Use a bib or a mat underneath.
• Let your little one practise in the bath or shower: spilling doesn't matter there.
• Sucking and licking the rim are part of learning at first.
• Take your time and follow your child's pace.