Weaning Your Baby
Switching the baby’s feeding source from breast or bottle to cup is a turning point in his/her growth. However, it is not an easy game for many parents and proves quite a challenge in a large number of cases. As a general rule, the longer you take to introduce a cup to your baby, the harder it gets to make him/her say bye to breast/bottle. So when and how to start with a cup?
It is recommended by childcare experts that babies should be introduced, at the age of 8 to 9 months, to a trainer cup, preferably one with side handles and a snap-on lid along with a spout. If you see that your baby is responding to get food this way, it shows that he/she is ready to switch the feeding source.
How to Proceed
To start with, take a little water in the cup and help the child tip it into his/her mouth. In a month or two, the baby will normally be able to get most of the liquid down his/her throat. At this time, you may start feeding the child diluted juice or formula from the cup. Start using the cup first at lunch, then in the morning, and finally in the evening.
