by Robin Tidwell

Created on: November 15, 2008   Last Updated: November 26, 2008

Converting a toddler from bottle to sippy cup is not difficult, and often can and should be accomplished prior to his first birthday. Consistency is the key, as with most child-raising techniques, and comfort and ease of use are important as well.

By 6-8 months, most babies are sitting up and have been introduced to a high chair; babies should be exposed to the family table at meals because, after all, eventually they'll be dining with the rest of the family. Give your child a sippy cup at every meal. Besides becoming used to the cup, it will help entertain him.

Start with a sippy cup with handles; skinny handles are much easier for a baby or toddler to grasp than a cup itself. Fill it to the top, as your baby will take time to learn to upend the cup over his mouth; this eliminates much frustration as the contents flow more easily. Expect spills and dribbles, although sippy cups are designed to do much less of the former.

Fill the cup with water; a child will prefer juice, of course, since it's sweet, but water cleans up easier (on both child and floor), and too many children do not drink enough water - start this habit early.

After several weeks of practice at mealtimes, you can begin to replace a bottle feeding with a sippy cup of formula or milk. The best time to do this is at the beginning of a feeding, when the child is the most hungry, probably his second bottle of the day; both of you will be more alert and relaxed.

Fill the bottle like always, then pour some of that into the sippy cup. This way you can have a better idea if he's taking as much as usual. Sit your child on your lap and help him manage the cup; stop when he begins to get either frustrated or full. Finish the feeding with the bottle, if necessary.

By this age, 8-10 months, a child will most likely be having three meals a day and three snacks, including the bedtime bottle. He should be having just four bottles a day, since he will be eating solid food as well.

After a week or so of lunchtime bottle-replacement, start replacing another bottle feeding with the sippy cup; continue until your child is drinking only from sippy cups. Typically the nighttime bottle is the last to go, since many children prefer to fall asleep with a bottle. Do not, however, leave the bottle in bed with your child; this develops bad habits and promotes tooth decay.

By his first birthday, your child should have graduated to full-time sippy cups, and no more bottles will be necessary.

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