How to Transition from Bottle to Cup with BIBS Bottles
By Hazel & Fawn | Published: 2026-10-30
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to smoothly transition your baby from a BIBS baby bottle to a cup using practical steps, product tips, and common mistakes to avoid.
Quick answer
Start by replacing one daytime feed with a cup while keeping your BIBS baby bottle for comfort feeds. Use the same nipple flow to ease the switch, and introduce the cup gradually over two to three weeks.
Why start early and go slow
Pediatricians generally recommend starting cup introduction around 6 months, when babies can sit with support and show interest in drinking. A gradual transition helps your baby adjust to a new drinking method without feeling rushed or frustrated.
One common mistake is dropping bottles too quickly. Babies often associate the bottle with comfort and security, so keeping one or two bottle feeds during the transition (such as before naps or bedtime) can make the process less stressful.
Choosing the right cup for your baby
An open cup or a straw cup are often recommended over sippy cups with hard spouts, as they encourage proper oral motor development. Start with a small, open cup held by you, or a straw cup that requires sucking rather than tipping.
If your baby is used to the soft, breast-like nipple of a BIBS silicone bottle, a cup with a soft silicone spout or straw may feel more familiar. Avoid cups with hard plastic spouts that can be jarring after the bottle.
Step-by-step transition plan
- Step 1: Introduce the cup at a calm time: Offer a few sips of expressed milk or water from an open cup or straw cup during a relaxed moment, not during a hungry feed. Let your baby explore the cup with their hands and mouth. Keep the first few sessions short and playful to build positive association.
- Step 2: Replace one daytime bottle feed: After a few days of practice, swap one daytime bottle feed (not a bedtime or comfort feed) with a cup. Use the same milk temperature and volume your baby is used to. A common mistake is replacing a feed when your baby is overtired or fussy; choose a calm time of day.
- Step 3: Gradually drop remaining bottle feeds: Every 3–5 days, replace another bottle feed with a cup. Keep the last bottle feed (usually before bed) for the longest period to maintain comfort and routine. If your baby resists a feed, go back to the previous step for a few more days before trying again.
How BIBS bottles can help
- Grow and Flow Silicone Baby Bottle Set: The Grow and Flow Silicone Baby Bottle Set features an anti-colic valve and a breast-like nipple made of hypoallergenic medical-grade silicone. The familiar nipple shape and soft silicone feel can make the bottle part of the transition easier, while the anti-colic valve reduces gas during feeds.
Grow and Flow Silicone Baby Bottle Set - Glass Baby Bottle Set: The Glass Baby Bottle Set is made of temperature and thermal shock-resistant borosilicate glass and does not emit microplastics. If you prefer a glass bottle for daytime feeds, its heat resistance and durability mean you can warm milk safely without worrying about microplastics.
Glass Baby Bottle Set
