Knowing when to switch from a baby bottle to a bottle or a cup is a very common question among families as the time to start daycare approaches. There's no exact age that works for every baby, but around their first birthday many children start to be ready to learn to drink in other ways.
The transition doesn't have to happen all at once. Gradually introducing a bottle or a cup suited to their age can help the baby gain independence, and it also means they'll arrive at daycare already familiar with their new way of drinking.
Before you keep reading, you might be interested in our selection of best bottles for daycare."
Signs that your baby is ready to give up the bottle
Rather than focusing solely on age, it's worth paying attention to the baby's development and habits. Each little one has their own pace and may pick up these skills earlier or later.
One sign that may indicate readiness is being able to sit steadily and have good head control. It's also common for babies to start showing curiosity about the cups and bottles used by the people around them.
Another sign is being able to grasp objects and bring them to their mouth in a coordinated way. This skill will be important for holding a bottle and learning to drink from it
It also may be a good time if your baby has already tried taking small sips from a cup with an adult's help. It doesn't need to be done perfectly from the start—learning a new way of drinking takes practice.
Around 12 months, many children start gaining greater independence during mealtimes and other everyday activities. This makes it a good stage to begin introducing a reusable bottle suited to their needs.
That said, turning one year old doesn't mean a baby has to give up the bottle automatically. The transition can be gradual and will depend on each child. Still, this is the age at which most parents buy our baby bottles.
How to Handle the Transition Before Starting Daycare
If your baby is going to start daycare, it's a good idea to get them familiar with the bottle beforehand. That way, they'll have fewer changes to deal with all at once.
You can start by offering the bottle at home during calm moments—for example, during a meal, after playing, or when you go out for a walk.
At first, your baby may just pick it up, look at it, bite it, or play with it. That's completely normal. The initial goal is simply for them to recognize it and get used to having it nearby.
It can also help for them to see adults drinking water from a bottle. Babies learn a lot through imitation, and their curiosity may lead them to want to try it themselves. Or if their older siblings have one—if that's your case, we recommend reading our article on best water bottles for school."
There's no need to remove the bottle right away. Both options can coexist for a while, using the new bottle at certain times and keeping the baby bottle when they still need it.
Little by little, you can increase the occasions when they use the new bottle until they feel comfortable with it.
When it's time to start daycare, try bringing a model they already know. Having a familiar object can help them adapt better to a new environment.
Also, since the bottle will go with them daily, it's a good idea to label it with their name to avoid mix-ups with other children's bottles.
What type of bottle or cup to choose at this stage
The bottle you choose should adapt to your baby's abilities, not the other way around. At this stage, it's important that it's easy to hold, comfortable to drink from, and simple to carry.
Size matters too. A bottle that's too large can become heavy when full and make it harder for the little one to handle it on their own.
That's why smaller-capacity formats tend to be a practical choice for the first few years. It's also worth looking for one that includes a feature to make gripping easier, such as a handle.
As for the drinking system, there are different options. Some children adapt better to an open cup, while others find a bottle with a spout easier to use.
There's no single option that works for everyone. What matters is choosing a system suited to their stage of development and following the advice of their pediatrician or healthcare professional when specific questions come up. We invite you to check out our baby bottles
Anti-Drip Spout
When a bottle is going to be used at daycare, avoiding leaks is especially important. A bottle that leaks water can end up soaking the backpack, clothes, or other items your little one is carrying.
That's why it's a good idea to look for a model with a secure closure and a drinking system designed to minimize leaks.
For younger children, a spout that makes learning easier and is comfortable to drink from can also be a good option.
The Kiddies from Cool Bottles, for example, is specially designed for young children and recommended mainly for ages 1 to 5. Its silicone spout with the BiteFlow system lets them drink using a biting motion, making the process simple and natural.
It also includes a one-click cap that protects the spout from dust, dirt, and other outside elements when not in use.
The bottle is completely leak-proof, making it practical to carry in a daycare backpack or on an outing without worrying about spills.
Suitable Capacity and Weight
For a baby or young child, a bottle needs to be manageable both empty and full. Too large a capacity can add weight that makes it harder for them to hold it on their own.
The Kiddies has a 350 ml capacity, a format designed so little ones can carry it comfortably during their activities.
It also has a built-in handle, which is especially useful for making it easier for them to grip and carry from place to place.
The material matters too. The Kiddies is made from 18/8 stainless steel, is BPA- and toxin-free, and doesn't retain flavors or odors.
Its wide mouth also makes cleaning easier, which is especially important for a bottle that's going to be used every day.
One of the advantages of choosing a reusable bottle from an early age is that it can become a regular part of their routines.
It doesn't have to be used only at daycare. It can go with them to the park, on outings, on family trips, or to their first extracurricular activities.
If you're getting everything ready for daycare, it may also be helpful to check out all our stainless steel bottles for kids."
Patience is probably the most important ingredient during this transition. Not every child accepts a new bottle right away, and forcing the process can make them resist it even more.
Switching from a baby bottle to a regular bottle doesn't depend solely on reaching a certain age. Around 12 months can be a good time to start introducing it, always taking into account each child's development and needs.
Choosing a bottle that's lightweight, appropriately sized, easy to hold, and with a suitable drinking system can make the process much easier. And if we also start practicing at home before daycare begins, the little one will arrive at this new stage with a routine that already feels familiar to them.
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