A Must-Read for Beginner Moms Struggling with Cup Drinking! A Basic Manual to Easily Succeed in Teaching Your Baby to Drink from a Cup in 3 Steps
It's tough when your baby just won't drink from a cup day after day, isn't it? To get straight to the point, don't aim for perfection with a cup right away. It's easier to progress in this order: sipping motion → adult support → holding it themselves. Spilling is just part of the practice. Once you set up the right environment, your stress as a parent will drop significantly.
For those who just want the conclusion first: I've put together some helpful items. (You don't have to buy them, just use them as a reference.)
It's much easier to view them from the 'Collection' section.
Things to know first
As a general guideline, I find that many babies are ready to start around 7–8 months old, when they get used to the swallowing motion during solid food feeding. If you start too early, they might choke easily, and if you start too late, their preferences might be set, and they might refuse it.
Common stumbling blocks include these:
・The timing isn't right
・They got used to a straw first, making it hard to switch to the cup motion
・They don't quite grasp that a cup is a tool for drinking yet
・You are nervous about them spilling (this really rubs off on them...)
3-Step Cup Drinking Progress
The key is to keep the amount per sip very small. Building successful experiences with an amount they won't choke on is the shortcut.
Step 1: Create a sipping motion (from around 5–6 months old)
・Just a tiny bit of liquid on a spoon
・Touch it gently to their lower lip and wait
・Don't make them look up, and don't pour it in
It's okay if they spit it out. That's just how it is at first.
Step 2: Adult holds the cup and helps them drink (from around 7–8 months old)
・A shallow, lightweight container that you can see into is easier
・Start with only 1–2 spoonfuls
・Take the cup away after one sip
Trying to make them drink it all at once makes them prone to choking, so it's safer to break it up into small amounts.
Step 3: Holding it themselves (around 10 months to 1 year old)
・Start by putting in only 2–3 sips' worth
・Watch them closely, especially at the beginning and end of the drink (some babies suddenly let go)
Helping them by holding their hands is plenty.
Recovery when things don't go well
If they dislike the cup:
・Drink from it yourself in front of them, looking like you're enjoying it
・Use a cup with a pattern they might like
・Make it an extension of play (like playing pretend gargling while brushing teeth)
If they choke or can't drink:
・It's okay to go back to Step 1
・Reduce the amount even more
・Sit them up a little straighter
If they keep spilling and you aren't making progress:
・Creating an environment that assumes they will spill is the best strategy
・Lay down towels or a waterproof sheet
・Do it while they are just in an undershirt
・Practice in the bathroom
Just doing this will protect your peace of mind as a parent.
Tips for choosing a cup
It doesn't have to be a fancy cup at first.
・Something shallow and small, like a sake cup
・One with handles on both sides (makes it easier to control the angle)
・Types designed to be spill-resistant
Mug sets that allow you to change the lid in stages are also good for creating a smooth practice flow.
Tips for consistency and a little story from me
If there are long gaps between practice sessions, they tend to forget, so I found it worked best to do a little bit every day when possible.
The best times are when they are in a good mood, after they've finished playing and are satisfied, or when they seem thirsty.
Conversely, it's fine to skip it when they are sleepy or too hungry.
With my first child, I started at 8 months, but for about a month, everything was constantly soaked, and honestly, I was getting frustrated.
But once I moved the practice to the bathroom, it suddenly became fun, like playing with water, and by around 10 months, they got the hang of it.
My second child showed interest earlier by mimicking the older one, and even using the same method, the progress was completely different.
Growth pace is truly different for everyone. 🙂
I've put together some items if you need them (you don't have to buy them at all, just use them as a reference)
It's much easier to view them from the 'Collection' section
→ https://room.rakuten.co.jp/room_54a6b8cbcb/items
Summary
For those who want to know more in detail: I've explored this further by case on my blog → https://ikuji.aify.blog/2026/03/24/%e3%82%b3%e3%83%83%e3%83%97%e9%a3%b2%e3%81%bf%e3%81%a7%e3%81%8d%e3%81%aa%e3%81%84%e5%88%9d%e5%bf%83%e8%80%85%e3%83%9e%e5%bf%85%e8%a6%8b%ef%bc%813%e3%81%a4%e3%81%ae%e3%82%b9%e3%83%86%e3%83%83/