When to introduce an open cup and how to start

Most families begin offering an open cup alongside complementary foods, usually around six months. It is a practical step towards independent drinking, but the right moment depends on your baby’s posture, coordination and interest in what the family eats.

Keep the breastmilk or formula routine you already have. Cups can sit alongside familiar feeds, so your baby can learn to sip without pressure to replace milk straight away. A calm first experience is more likely to build confidence than rushing a bottle-to-cup transition.

Readiness before the calendar

Watch for steady head control, sitting with support, the ability to reach for a cup and bring it towards the mouth, and swallowing rather than consistently pushing liquid out. Interest in family meals often appears at the same time. Babies develop at different rates, so a later start can be completely normal.

Once solids are under way, offer a few sips at one or two meals each day rather than expecting a full drink. Australian child health nurses can help with developmental concerns and feeding routines, while a GP can advise when medical factors affect oral development or swallowing.

Open cups encourage babies to practise upper-lip and jaw movements that support oral motor development and later speech skills. Less time spent sucking from a bottle teat may also be kinder to developing teeth. Keep milk feeds comfortable, though, because breastmilk and formula still provide essential nutrition during the first year.

Choose a cup that fits

Choose a small, lightweight cup with a broad base and handles sized for little hands. A handled open cup is easier to manage than glass or ceramic, especially while your baby is still learning to sit steadily. Breakable cups do not belong in a baby’s play area, and drinks should always be taken while seated and supervised.

MAM and Medela feeding products are familiar choices in Australia, with ranges available through places such as Chemist Warehouse, Coles, Woolworths and Baby Bunting. FamilyDiaperBag also carries these brands alongside other baby-care essentials. Compare a valve-free trainer with a genuine open cup: the trainer may help with the first sips, but it does not teach the same lip and rim movement.

Begin with small, unhurried sips

Offer two or three sips, then put the cup down and let your baby lead. A little tilt of the cup, a pause and a swallow are enough at first. Keep the cup within reach during meals so it feels part of eating rather than a separate test, and acknowledge effort without making a mess a problem.

Continue to breastfeed or formula-feed on demand, and offer small amounts of water alongside meals once your baby is ready for solids. Water supports hydration but does not replace milk feeds. In Australian capital cities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, drinking tap water is generally suitable for babies when prepared safely; in rural districts, check local council advice and follow any infant water guidance.

Wash cups after every use with hot, soapy water and follow the manufacturer’s sterilising instructions for younger babies. Rinse away any milk residue rather than relying on a rinse alone. Clean the inside of spouts and straws regularly, since trapped liquid can make an apparently clean cup unpleasant to use.

Cups beyond the highchair

Use the cup during highchair meals, then offer it again during supervised floor snacks so your baby gets repeated practice. Let them hold and turn it, building fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Keep the habit of sitting down for drinks, since walking with a cup creates a spill and injury risk.

At a park barbecue in Melbourne or a summer picnic in Sydney, a lidded cup is easier to carry than an open one. Secure the lid during movement and reserve open cups for seated moments. In Australia’s hotter months, access to water matters, so carry a refillable bottle for adults and offer your baby small sips from their own cup.

Travel also tests a new routine, so use a cup your baby already recognises. For a trip to Malaysia, pack familiar feeding supplies and sun protection as well as the nappies listed in this first beach holiday checklist. A clean spare cup and easy-access wipes can take the edge off long travel days and unfamiliar beaches.

Compare the next drinking step

Move between cup types according to your child’s skills, not a fixed birthday. Some babies are ready for open cups at six months, while others benefit from a soft spout first. Keep the current stage comfortable and revisit it when your baby can manage the rim confidently.

Milk feeding and cup practice can overlap without confusion when each has a clear role. Breastmilk or formula remains the main drink for many babies, while the cup supports meals and everyday hydration. A gradual transition gives everyone time to adapt, particularly when teething, illness or travel makes drinking harder.

Drinking option	Best for	Skills practised	Main consideration
Open cup	Babies ready to explore rim drinking	Upper-lip control, jaw movement and swallowing	Expect spills and provide close supervision
Trainer cup with soft spout	Babies easing into their first sips	Gripping, tilting and controlling liquid flow	Choose a valve-free design and clean the spout thoroughly
Straw cup	Babies who can sit and suck confidently	Fine motor control and oral motor coordination	Narrow straws need careful cleaning
Bottle	Babies who rely on breastmilk or formula feeds	Maintaining a familiar milk-feeding routine	Use alongside cup practice rather than forcing an abrupt change