In this episode of The Beehive, Dr. Blair Rolnick discusses the importance of introducing an open mouth cup to babies around six months old. She advises against using sippy cups, as they promote sucking, which isn’t developmentally appropriate for this age. Instead, she recommends a small, stainless steel, open-mouth cup for its durability and low bacterial growth. Between six and twelve months, babies should practice drinking from the cup with water, gradually building the skill by the time they drop the bottle at twelve months. 

Dr. Rolnick emphasizes modeling cup usage and maintaining consistency while avoiding sugary drinks to encourage healthy habits. For parents struggling with the transition, using a straw cup can be an intermediate step. Ultimately, fostering early use of an open mouth cup supports positive developmental and dental outcomes. 

This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RX2S9ALBzsY 

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always seek medical advice from a qualified physician.

For Dr. Rolnick’s practice and more content, visit: https://beekindpediatrics.com/