A good time to introduce baby to drinking from a cup is when she starts to eat solid foods (at around 4 to 6 months of age). If your baby is eager to drink from a cup, you won’t have to do much to convince her other than just handing it over. But don’t feel you have to rush it. Let your baby help you find the right time.

Training-cup basics
Babies have definite ideas about many things, including cups, so you may have to try several before she settles on one she likes. Here are some features to look for in training cups:

• A small spout: The smaller the spout hole, the better. The size of the spout regulates the flow of liquid and it will be much larger than the nipple hole baby is used to.

• A snug-fitting lid: Your baby shouldn’t be able to remove the lid from the cup.

• A weighted or wide-based bottom: A cup that’s well grounded won’t tip over as easily.

• Two handles: Two handles are better than one in providing baby a steady grip.

Six tips for great first sips
1) Keep it familiar. For baby’s first try at using a cup, fill the cup about one-quarter full with expressed breastmilk or formula–whatever your baby is most used to–so that even though the container may be unfamiliar, the contents won’t be.

2) Cover up. Dress your baby in a waterproof or absorbent bib in case she spills liquid all over herself. The shock of feeling liquid on her skin isn’t the experience you want her to associate with her new cup.

3) Start out already wet. For that first sip, you even may want to offer her the cup while she’s in the bathtub–that way, any spills will hardly be noticed.

4) Get your baby comfortable. Make sure baby is in a familiar, secure spot, perhaps on your lap or in a high chair.

5) Go slowly. Bring the cup to baby’s mouth and gently tip it until a few drops reach her lips. Then take the cup away so baby has an opportunity to swallow.

6) Let baby go solo. If she tries to grab the cup to sip for herself, let her try.

Baby bottle tooth decay
When mealtime is finished, take the bottle away from baby. Any liquid except water from a bottle exposes baby’s teeth (under the gums) to the natural or added sugars in the liquid. Since prolonged contact can cause tooth decay, don’t allow baby to suck on a bottle as a pacifier or put baby to bed with a bottle.