Whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, 12 -18 months of age is a good time to transition to a cup. Pediatricians recommend that all children switch to using a cup by age 2.
- For bottle-fed toddlers: Make the switch gradually, starting with a cup of whole milk at mealtime. You will probably need to hold the cup and have your child sip slowly at first, until he or she can hold the cup and drink with some control.
- For breast-fed toddlers: Switch to a cup only and avoid using bottles at all.
Pediatric dentists recommend a cup over a sippy cup, which has a spout. Drinking from a regular cup means sugar from the beverage won’t linger around his teeth, which could lead to tooth decay.
Pediatricians recommend whole milk for kids under age 2, since it has dietary fats needed for growth and development. If your child doesn’t like the taste of cow’s milk at first, mix in formula or breast milk and then gradually scale back to cow’s milk only.
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