As your baby develops motor skills and changes their diet, you might start thinking about swapping out those bottles for actual cups. Some kids have an easy transition away from the bottle, while others take longer. Every baby is different, so you might have to try a few different techniques before you find something that works for both of you. Don’t lose heart! Be patient and help both your baby and yourself with these tips for transitioning your child from bottles to cups.

Start Early

Babies start developing habits when they hit a year old, so this is a good time to start moving away from the bottle. One way to make the process easier is to introduce your transition cup to your baby early. Place a sippy cup or baby cup full of water beside them at mealtimes. You can also give your baby an empty cup to play with. Once they’ve had the chance to familiarize themselves, they’ll be much more open to drinking out of the cup when the time comes.

Choose Your Transition Cup Wisely

A transition cup gives your baby a halfway point between a bottle and an adult cup. You want a cup that’s easy to use, lightweight, and durable. Fun colors help, too. While many parents reach for the sippy cup during this stage, the valve can make it difficult for your baby to actually take a drink. This leads to frustration and negative associations with the sippy cup. That’s why Avanchy created our silicone baby cup. With a more grown-up design, gentle silicone, and an easy-to-use straw, this baby cup is the perfect way to transition your baby toward an adult cup. Plus, when they’re ready, you can simply take the lid off and let them drink out of the traditional cup.

Ditch the Evening Bottle

Once you’ve conquered all your daytime feedings, it’s time to conquer the last bottle of the day. A pre-bedtime bottle is usually the hardest to move away from because babies rely on it as part of a comfortable nighttime routine. Make things easier by preserving every other detail of your nighttime routine. If you usually cuddle and feed before bed, keep the cuddles without the bottle. You can also move your nighttime feeding to earlier in the evening to help break the association of that final bottle and bedtime.

Follow Through With the Transition

No matter how you and your baby get through the change, one of the most important tips for transitioning your child from bottles to cups is to follow through with the plan. Don’t give up once you’ve started. Even if things get challenging, it’s always better to keep trying rather than doubling back. With a little time and patience, you can help your child master the cup and reach the next magnificent milestone of their life.