### Tips for Transitioning from Bottle to Cup 1. **Start Early**: Introduce sippy cups around 6 to 9 months when your baby starts drinking water and other liquids. 2. **Skip Bottles if Breastfeeding**: If you breastfeed, consider skipping bottles entirely and go straight to cups around the 1-year mark. 3. **Avoid Prolonged Bottle Use**: The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests stopping bottle use before 18 months to prevent tooth decay and obesity. 4. **Choose the Right Cup**: Use cups with straws instead of solid spouts to protect teeth. Experiment with different types to find one your child likes. 5. **Gradual Weaning**: Slowly replace bottles with cups, starting with mid-day bottles, then morning, and finally the nighttime bottle. 6. **Bedtime Routine**: Establish a bedtime routine that doesn't rely on a bottle, such as a warm bath, storytime, and snuggling. 7. **Offer Choices**: Offer milk in a cup and water in a bottle to encourage the transition. Flavor milk with fruit if needed. 8. **Alternative Calcium Sources**: Ensure your child gets enough calcium from other sources like cheese, yogurt, broccoli, and fortified juices. 9. **Be Patient**: Expect some resistance and tantrums. Stay consistent and patient; your child will adapt over time.