From Bottle to Cup: The Ideal Training Bottle for Kids

Nothing is more frustrating for a young child than wanting to do something but not being able to do it—whether not by themselves, or not right away. The principle is the same for all learning: grabbing a toy, eating, walking, or drinking without their parents' help. To avoid (or limit) screams, tears, and anger, everyone has their own tricks. By the way, did you know? Offering your child a sippy cup is one of the best "hacks" to transition from bottle to cup, while avoiding most conflicts.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Leaving the bottle for the cup: a transition possible as early as 6 months
• 3 tips to fully use to encourage your child's independence
• Elhée kids’ bottle: 4 undeniable advantages
• What if my baby refuses to drink from a cup?

Leaving the bottle for the cup: a transition possible as early as 4 months

If you’re wondering, your baby can try drinking from a cup, water bottle, or training cup as early as 6 months old. This doesn't mean you should wean them from the bottle yet, but rather help them discover a new container and learn a new skill.

Of course, at this age and for several more months, you’re the one holding the cup with just a little liquid in it, not your baby. Also, the point at first is not to quench thirst, but to learn how to place their lips and mouth in a totally new way. In fact, while bottling works by sucking on the nipple, drinking "like a big kid" means placing the cup at the edge of the lips, tilting it gently, and swallowing at the same time. Quite a task.

Some children acquire this skill earlier, some later, but in every case, there is a transition period between the milk bottle and a water cup.

The Elhée kids’ bottle was designed for comfortable, safe use as early as 4 months old. So you can use it very early as an introduction or way for your baby to learn a different way of drinking, alongside the bottle. Remember, a baby can start drinking water as early as 4–6 months old.

Cute water bottle or colorful cup: learning by doing

Of course, your baby will spill the water, get wet, “miss” their mouth, drink too fast, or drop the cup. That's normal. With patience and a few tricks, they will still—quickly—learn to drink like a big kid.

To help your child get familiar with this new tool, pick the right moments, when they’re not tired, just woken up, too thirsty, too upset, or too excited. Offer their cup or training mug often, even empty, just to pick up, turn over, look at, or even play with. In fact, for a successful bottle-to-cup transition, the most important thing is not (at least not at first) actually drinking, but letting your child get familiar with the cup, training mug, or cute water bottle they chose.

Just like the bibRond, the reusable Bubble bottle features a soft, rounded, unbreakable bottle for a comfortable and easy grip. That’s one more reason for your child to try drinking like a big kid—and for you, to offer a safe alternative to the baby bottle.

3 tips to fully use to encourage your child's independence

• Enhance skills through imitation

Experts estimate that around 8 months, babies can copy an action by watching. This is called immediate imitation. Around 20 months, delayed imitation develops, where a young child can copy an action hours or even days after seeing it.

To encourage your child to use their cup, have them eat at the table, in their high chair, with you. By watching you drink, they'll want to try it for themselves.

• Use colorful, fun, and above all, easy-to-hold containers

If you only remember one tip, let it be this: don’t just use any container to move from bottle to cup. Colors grab kids’ attention, and fun designs spark curiosity. Handles or an easy-to-grip surface make carrying easier. Healthy, odor-free materials also encourage use.

Sippy cup, training mug, straw glass, or water bottle for kids—it all depends! Some are accepted on the first try, others take more time or a different approach. But, size matters too. Imagine this: a classic cup in a child’s hands is like a pitcher in an adult’s hands. It’s way too big for drinking!

• Play first and foremost

From a very young age, children learn best through play. So, make the most of this by highlighting your baby's cup in a playful way. For example, choose a different colored cup every morning and put on a little show with it. Make its entrance onto the dining table dramatic and spark contagious laughter together.

Also offer your young child the mystery drink game. Secretly fill their training mug or cute bottle with water, milk, or an unsweetened herbal tea. If they want to guess what’s inside, they have to taste!

Elhée kids’ bottle: 4 undeniable advantages

• Safe: The Elhée kids’ bottle is made of medical grade silicone

This material offers a high level of safety for babies’ health. It contains no bisphenol, no phthalates, or any other allergenic or controversial substance. Just like the bibRond, you can use the Bubble bottle daily with total peace of mind.

• Practical: The Elhée kids’ bottle features an anti-leak suction spout 

The anti-leak suction spout allows your child to grab, use, and carry their bottle without spilling. Bubble is completely leak-proof—even if left on the floor, tossed in a diaper bag, or used at night in bed.

• Easy to grip: The Elhée kids’ bottle is soft and flexible

The chosen medical-grade silicone is, on top of being completely safe, 100% suited to children’s small hands. Flexible and soft, it won’t slip and squishes effortlessly to fit between little fingers. Kids can carry and use their cute Bubble bottle—recommended from 6 months old—right from the start.

• Unbreakable: With the Elhée kids’ bottle, you’re risk-free

Last but not least, the Bubble bottle’s flexible silicone is totally safe for your child. You can let them play with this soft bottle in the bedroom, kitchen, or on a walk. Unlike using a glass cup or even a plastic tumbler, there’s absolutely no risk.

What if my baby refuses to drink from a cup?