Quick Answer
Babies can be introduced to an open cup from around 6 months, when solid foods are introduced. Most babies will not drink independently from an open cup until closer to 12 to 18 months, but early exposure from 6 months builds the skill gradually and supports healthy oral development. Many paediatric and dental guidelines recommend introducing an open cup alongside or instead of a sippy cup from 6 months, and transitioning away from bottles by 12 months.
Why Open Cup Drinking Matters
Open cup drinking is more than just a practical skill. It has meaningful implications for oral development and long-term health:
- Oral motor development: Drinking from an open cup requires different muscle coordination than sucking from a bottle or sippy cup. It strengthens the lips, tongue, and jaw muscles in ways that support speech development and healthy swallowing patterns
- Dental health: Prolonged use of bottles and valve sippy cups, particularly with milk or juice, is associated with tooth decay. Open cups do not pool liquid against the teeth in the same way
- Swallowing pattern: Sucking from a bottle or sippy cup encourages a forward tongue thrust that can affect the development of the palate and bite. Open cup drinking encourages a more mature swallowing pattern
- Self-regulation: Drinking from an open cup requires your baby to control the flow of liquid themselves, supporting the development of self-regulation skills that extend beyond feeding
How to Introduce an Open Cup
Most babies will not take to an open cup immediately, and that is completely normal. The goal at 6 months is exposure and exploration, not independent drinking. Here is how to approach it:
- Start with a small amount of liquid: Put just a few millilitres of water or expressed breast milk in the cup. This limits mess and makes it easier for your baby to manage
- Support the cup together: Hold the cup with your baby, guiding it to their lips and tipping it gently. Over time, reduce your support as their control improves
- Use a small, lightweight cup: A small shot-glass-sized cup or a purpose-made baby open cup is easier for small hands to manage than a full-sized cup
- Offer it at mealtimes: Introduce the open cup alongside solid food at mealtimes, when your baby is already in a seated, alert state and focused on eating
- Expect mess: Spilling is part of learning. A bib and a splash mat under the high chair make mealtimes much easier during this stage
- Be consistent: Offer the open cup at every mealtime, even if your baby only manages a sip or two. Consistent exposure builds the skill gradually
What About Sippy Cups?
Sippy cups with a valve (the kind that require sucking to get liquid out) are convenient but are not recommended by many paediatric dental and speech therapy guidelines as a long-term solution. They encourage the same sucking pattern as a bottle and do not support the development of mature drinking skills. If you use a sippy cup, a free-flow cup (one without a valve, where liquid flows freely when tipped) is a better option as it more closely mimics open cup drinking.
The goal is to transition away from bottles and valve sippy cups by 12 months, using an open cup or free-flow cup as the primary drinking vessel for water and, from 12 months, cow's milk.
Developmental Milestones for Cup Drinking
- 6 months: Introduction with support. Your baby may take a few sips with significant help
- 9 months: Increasing interest and improving coordination. Your baby may begin to hold the cup with both hands with support
- 12 months: Many babies can drink from an open cup with minimal assistance, though spilling is still common
- 18 months: Most toddlers can drink from an open cup with reasonable independence, though spills remain part of daily life for some time
When It's Worth Checking In With Your Pediatrician
Speak to your pediatrician or a speech and language therapist if:
- Your baby has significant difficulty managing any liquid from a cup by 12 months
- Your baby gags or chokes consistently when attempting to drink from a cup
- You have concerns about your baby's oral motor development or swallowing
Key Takeaway
Introduce an open cup from around 6 months alongside solid foods, starting with small amounts of water and plenty of support. Most babies will not drink independently until 12 to 18 months, but early exposure builds the skill gradually and supports healthy oral development. Aim to transition away from bottles and valve sippy cups by 12 months, using an open cup or free-flow cup as the primary drinking vessel going forward.
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This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your baby's health.