Breastmilk is the very best food for your baby. You do not have to stop breastfeeding to introduce a cup. In fact, you can continue until you and your baby decide it is the right time to stop. Some moms offer breastmilk to their baby or child for many years.Once your child shows signs that they are ready, you can begin to introduce a cup.

Start slowly. It can take weeks, or even months, for a baby to master using a cup.

Here are some tips for introducing a cup to your breastfeeding baby:

• Offer an empty cup. Allow your baby to explore and play with the cup. You can offer an empty cup during feedings.
• Offer a very small amount of liquid in the cup for the first offers. 1 to 2 ounces is enough for practice. You may gently tip the cup to their mouth to make sure they do not swallow too much at one time.
• Offer the cup slowly and over time. Start by offering breastmilk in a cup at one feeding. Wait several days before replacing another feeding with a cup.
• Have someone else offer the cup. A baby is sometimes more willing to accept a cup from someone else.

• Try to offer a cup somewhere different from your normal feeding places.
• Role model drinking out of a cup for your baby. It can be helpful to show them and then encourage them to mimic you.
• Offer 1-2 ounces in an open cup while seated. You might be concerned about messes and spills. Be patient, messes and spills are a part of learning.
• Offer a cup with handles. Your baby might do better with a cup that has handles for many months.
• Offer a cup with bright patterns. This will help catch your baby’s attention.