Moving on from a bottle to a cup doesn't mean that you need to stop giving your child breastmilk or formula if you don't want to. Sometimes, offering water in a cup straight away can make the transition tougher, so some parents like to give their little one milk in a cup first to encourage them to start drinking from one before they transition to drinking water.
•Think about the timing of the transition: It's important to remember that your baby’s bottle is a source of comfort for them. That means trying to wean them off when they're feeling unwell or going through a routine change (like going to a new childminder) might not go to plan.
•Let them copy you: Try popping your little one in their highchair at mealtime and offer them some breastmilk or formula in a cup. That way, they will get used to sitting at the table to drink, and they’ll start to mimic how you drink from a glass.
•Transition from milk to water gradually: Try diluting their milk a little more each time to help them get used to drinking water. To cut their bottles out gradually, start by swapping the midday bottle first, then morning, then evening – waiting a few days or a week in between each stage. Make your little one aware of the change by telling them that, although they’re used to their bottle, they’re growing up and now have a shiny new cup with water in – how exciting!
•Out with the old, in with the new: Keep their old bottles out of sight and instead, put their colorful new cups on display.
