Baby Refusing Sippy Cup
The short answer
Many babies are initially uninterested in or resistant to sippy cups, and that is completely normal. The key is finding the right type of cup for your baby and offering it consistently without pressure. Some babies skip traditional sippy cups entirely and do better with straw cups or open cups with handles. There is no single cup that works for every baby, so trying a few different styles is often the solution.
By Age
What to expect by age
This is a good time to begin introducing a cup, but do not expect your baby to be proficient right away. Start with water in an open cup with a small amount of liquid, or try a straw cup. Many feeding therapists actually recommend skipping traditional spouted sippy cups and going straight to straw cups or open cups, as they promote better oral motor development. Let your baby explore the cup at meals without any pressure to drink.
Most babies can learn to drink from a straw cup or open cup with practice at this age. If your baby has been refusing a traditional sippy cup, try a different style. Some babies dislike the hard spout of a sippy cup but readily take a soft silicone straw or a 360 cup. Offer the cup at every meal and snack time so it becomes part of the routine. Put breast milk or formula in the cup occasionally instead of just water to increase interest.
This is the ideal window to transition from bottles to cups. If your baby is still resisting, try letting them pick out their own cup, modeling cup drinking yourself, or offering their favorite drink in the cup while giving only water in the bottle. Some families find success with going cold turkey on the bottle, which usually leads to acceptance of the cup within a few days after some initial protest.
Most toddlers can drink well from an open cup with some spilling by 18 to 24 months. If your toddler is still struggling with all cup types, consider whether there might be an oral motor issue. Some children have difficulty with the coordination needed for straw drinking or cup drinking and may benefit from a brief evaluation by a feeding therapist.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your 6 to 9 month old plays with the cup but does not drink much from it yet
- Your baby prefers one type of cup over another and refuses certain styles
- Your baby drinks small amounts from a cup at meals but still gets most milk from a breast or bottle
- Your toddler spills frequently when using an open cup
- Your baby is over 12 months and refuses all types of cups, making the bottle-to-cup transition very difficult
- Your baby chokes or coughs frequently when attempting to drink from any cup, which may suggest a swallowing issue
- Your toddler is over 18 months and cannot drink from any cup despite regular practice
- Your baby aspirates (inhales liquid into the lungs) when drinking, causing coughing, choking, or a wet-sounding voice
- Your child is refusing all liquids from any source and showing signs of dehydration
Sources
Related Resources
Related Feeding Concerns
I'm Worried My Baby Is Aspirating During Feeds
Aspiration means liquid or food enters the airway instead of the stomach. Occasional coughing during feeds is common and does not usually indicate aspiration. True aspiration is less common and may present as recurrent respiratory infections, a wet or gurgly voice after feeds, or chronic cough. If you are concerned, a swallow study can provide a definitive answer.
Baby Biting Nipple While Nursing
Biting during breastfeeding is a common challenge, especially when babies start teething. It can be startling and painful, but it is almost always a phase that can be managed. Babies cannot actively nurse and bite at the same time because their tongue covers the lower teeth during proper sucking. Biting typically happens at the beginning or end of a feed when the latch is not active. With some gentle strategies, most babies learn quickly that biting ends the feeding session.
My Baby Keeps Choking on Food
First, it's important to distinguish between gagging and choking. Gagging is a normal protective reflex that helps babies learn to eat, while true choking is silent and requires immediate intervention. Most "choking" episodes parents describe are actually gagging, which is common and expected as babies explore new textures. However, if your baby frequently struggles with swallowing or shows signs of true choking, it's worth discussing with your pediatrician.
My Baby Coughs While Feeding
Occasional coughing during feeding is very common, especially in newborns who are still learning to coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing. It often happens with a fast milk flow or letdown. However, if your baby coughs with every feed or turns blue or has difficulty breathing, this needs medical evaluation to rule out swallowing difficulties.
Baby Falling Asleep While Nursing
It is very common for babies to fall asleep while nursing, especially in the newborn period. Breastfeeding releases hormones that make both you and your baby feel relaxed and sleepy. In most cases this is completely normal, but if your baby is not gaining weight well or consistently falls asleep within a minute or two of latching, it may be worth trying some gentle techniques to keep them feeding longer.
Baby Gagging on New Textures
Gagging on new textures is one of the most common parts of learning to eat and is a normal, protective reflex. It does not mean your baby is choking or that they cannot handle the texture. The gag reflex is positioned far forward on the tongue in young babies, which means they gag more easily. With consistent, gentle exposure, most babies gradually learn to manage new textures. Going at your baby's pace while continuing to offer varied textures is the best approach.