The AAP suggests introducing a cup around 6 months, alongside solids, and moving off bottles around 12 months — by 18 months at the latest. Long-term bottle use, especially in bed or for comfort sipping, is linked to tooth decay and drinking too much milk, which can crowd out iron-rich foods.
Key takeaways
- Offer small sips of water from an open or straw cup with meals from about 6 months.
- Start replacing bottles around 12 months, one at a time; the bedtime bottle usually goes last.
- Toddlers need about 16–24 oz of milk a day — more can reduce appetite and iron intake.
- Never put a baby or toddler to bed with a bottle.
Which cup?
| Cup | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Open cup | Builds mature drinking and mouth skills; easy to clean | Spills — start with tiny amounts |
| Straw cup | Easy for many babies; good for oral-motor development | Straw parts need careful cleaning |
| Spouted “sippy” cup | Few spills | Works like a bottle; best as a short bridge only |
Speech and feeding specialists often favour open and straw cups. A sippy cup is fine on the go but shouldn’t simply replace the bottle as an all-day comfort drink.
A gentle plan to drop bottles (12–15 months)
- Week 1: replace the midday bottle with milk in a cup at lunch.
- Week 2: replace the morning bottle — serve milk in a cup with breakfast.
- Week 3: replace the afternoon bottle with a snack and a cup of milk or water.
- Week 4: move the bedtime milk earlier in the routine (before teeth brushing) and serve it in a cup — or offer a little less each night until it’s gone.
Pack bottles away once they’re done so they’re out of sight, and offer plenty of cuddles at times bottles used to be.
How much milk does a toddler need?
From 12 months, about 16–24 oz (2–3 cups) of whole milk a day, or another option your pediatrician recommends. If your toddler drinks much more, they may eat less food — iron deficiency is a known risk with excessive milk. Water is the go-to drink between meals; juice isn’t needed.
Playful distractions help
Bottle times are often about comfort and routine. Replacing them with a new ritual — a story, a song, or a few minutes of play — makes the change easier.
Common worries
My toddler refuses milk from a cup
Try a straw cup, a fun cup, cold milk, or offering milk with food. Yogurt and cheese also provide calcium. Ask your pediatrician if you’re worried about intake.
My child wakes at night asking for a bottle
Offer water in a cup and comfort. Night bottles of milk after teeth come in raise the risk of cavities.
Frequently asked questions
Can I skip sippy cups altogether?
Yes. Many babies go straight from bottle to open and straw cups.
What if we’re past 18 months?
It’s not too late — use the same step-by-step plan and keep it positive.
Is toddler formula necessary?
For most children, no. Whole milk and a varied diet meet their needs.
See also: baby feeding schedule and first foods.
