At what age should a child start learning to drink from a cup?

Starting to learn how to drink from a cup typically begins around 6 to 12 months of age, with many experts suggesting that introducing a cup around 6 to 8 months is ideal. At this age, infants are developing the motor skills necessary for cup drinking, and introducing this skill can help with the transition away from bottles before the age of 1.

Choosing to start at 8 months acknowledges the gradual progression that many children follow as they begin to master the coordination and grasping techniques needed for cup use. At this stage, children are also becoming more adept at sitting up, which supports the ability to manage drinking from a cup effectively. Furthermore, starting cup use around this time helps promote oral development and offers opportunities for social interaction during mealtimes.

While starting earlier at 6 months is acceptable for some children, many may not be ready until later, so aiming for 8 months provides a balanced approach that accommodates varying readiness in developmental timelines across different children.