Parenting Club

9 - 18 Months: Introducing a Cup

Now your baby is enjoying her first taste of food, it’s time for another new experience: drinking from a cup.

Nutritionists and dentists advise introducing a cup when you wean your baby onto solids at six months. That said, there’s nothing to stop you getting her used to holding a cup at an even younger age as long as she’s able to sit up and hold things independently.

Cups are better for your baby’s dental health especially if she bottlefeeds: drink flows more quickly through a spout than a teat, minimising contact with teeth. Bottlefeeding over long periods can lead to tooth decay, as the sugars contained in milk tend to ‘pool’ around the teeth and gums, feeding the bacteria that cause plaque
and erosion.

Introducing a cup has other benefits, too. It’ll make it easier for you to wean your baby off the breast or bottle when the time comes. And sipping helps to develop your baby’s lip and tongue muscles, even if she drinks only a little to start with, and will encourage her to be a bit more independent. Don’t be surprised (or disheartened) if she spills it all down her front at first – she’ll get the hang of it in the end.