Feeding Transitions Part 2: Cow’s Milk, Bottles, and Cups — What Really Changes After One

This blog post is part of our three-part expert series where we walk you through what this balance really looks like in the first year and beyond, guided by insights from a pediatrician, registered dietitian, and speech-language pathologist. 

If your baby is approaching their first birthday, you might be hearing a lot about the changes coming your way. In Part Two, we’re walking you through the feeding transitions that often start around this time, with the goal of helping you feel confident moving at your own pace. No pressure, no strict timelines—just clear information and practical steps.

If you’re earlier in your feeding journey, Part One of this series covers how to start solids with supportive, developmentally informed guidance from our experts.

Understanding feeding transitions after one

Turning one is a milestone—not just for your baby, but for you. Shifts like moving from formula or breast milk to cow’s milk, or easing away from bottles toward cups, can feel like a lot at once. You might be wondering whether you should continue formula, keep breastfeeding, try cow’s milk, or what to do if your baby isn’t ready to give up the bottle. These are all common questions.

In this article, our three experts help make sense of it all—sharing what the research says while also honoring the very real, very human side of feeding. Our pediatrician, Dr. Michelle Shiffman, explains why these big transitions happen at age one. Our pediatric dietitian, Catharine Seiler, breaks down what your baby can drink once they turn one (and what to do if cow’s milk isn’t the right fit). And our speech-language pathologist and feeding therapist, Lauren Remondino, shares why there are recommendations to wean your baby from a bottle and how to support your baby as they learn to drink from a cup.

From a Pediatrician: Why feeding transitions after one matter for your baby’s growth

Turning one is such an exciting time. Your baby is growing, exploring, and learning in new ways every day. Feeding transitions, like switching from formula or breast milk to cow’s milk, and moving from bottles to cups, help support your child’s growth and development in many ways.

Babies are ready for cow’s milk and new foods after the first birthday

By around 12 months, most babies’ tummies and immune systems are more mature. They can handle more foods and start drinking cow’s milk, which provides:

• Calcium and vitamin D for strong bones
  

• Healthy fats for brain growth
  

• Protein and energy for steady development
  
  

Why it’s time to move away from bottles

Around this age, it’s also helpful to start reducing bottles. The AAP recommends doing this between 12–18 months because:

• Bottles can increase the risk of tooth decay, especially if used for milk or juice at bedtime
  

• Prolonged bottle use can affect jaw and tooth development
  

• Drinking from a cup or straw supports the oral motor skills your baby needs for a strong, confident drinking foundation.

How bottle weaning supports healthy eating and habits as your baby grows

Switching from bottles helps your child:

• Eat a wider variety of foods
  

• Get nutrients from meals, not just milk
  

• Learn independence with eating and drinking
  
  

It’s okay to go at  your baby’s pace

Every baby is different. Some babies are ready to give up bottles right after their first birthday, while others need more time.

As both a pediatrician and a mom, I know how personal these transitions can feel. You know your child best. Our goal isn’t perfection, but progress that supports healthy growth, strong teeth, and confident eating habits.

AAP feeding transition guidelines parents can use after one

 

Now that we’ve covered why these transitions matter for your baby’s growth, let’s take a closer look at what your options are when it comes to what they can drink after turning one. There isn’t just one “right” way to do this—different approaches work for different babies.

 

---

 

From a Pediatric Dietitian: What your baby can drink after turning one

After your baby’s first birthday, their nutrient needs shift as solid foods become a bigger part of their diet. Below are the main ways families support those needs through what their baby drinks, with options that can work well depending on your routines and your child’s preferences.

1. Continuing breastfeeding after one

Many families choose to continue breastfeeding beyond the first birthday, and this can be a beautiful option if it works well for you and your baby. Breast milk continues to offer immune protection, comfort, and connection during the toddler years, and it can fit into your daily rhythm in whatever way feels sustainable—whether that’s morning and bedtime, a couple of times throughout the day, or simply when your baby asks.

As babies grow, their nutritional needs shift, especially when it comes to calcium and vitamin D. Breast milk alone typically doesn’t meet these needs after age one, which is why families may want to begin introducing small amounts of cow’s milk, yogurt, cheese, or other calcium- and vitamin-D–rich foods alongside breastfeeding. This doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing switch—many parents find that offering dairy foods or small portions of cow’s milk along with continued breastfeeding creates a gentle, balanced transition.

If cow’s milk isn’t the right fit for your family, fortified foods or plant-based alternatives can help support these nutrients as well. The goal isn’t to replace breastfeeding unless you want to, but rather to round out your baby’s nutrition in a way that supports healthy growth, development, and your family’s feeding style.

Calcium- and vitamin D–rich foods to support your baby’s nutrition after one

If you’re continuing to breastfeed, these foods can help round out calcium and vitamin D intake alongside (or instead of) cow’s milk:

Calcium-rich foods:

• Yogurt (whole milk varieties work well for toddlers)
  

• Cheese
  

• Fortified tofu
  

• Canned salmon or sardines with softened bones
  

• White beans
  

• Almond butter
  

• Broccoli
  

• Tahini
  

• Fortified cereals
  
  

Vitamin D–rich foods:

• Fatty fish like salmon, sardines, or trout
  

• Egg yolks
  

• Fortified dairy (yogurt, cheese)
  

• Fortified plant-based milks (soy, pea, oat, unsweetened and fortified)
  

• Fortified cereals
  
  

You can offer these foods however it works best for your family’s meals—mixed into oatmeal, folded into eggs, served as snacks, or offered alongside breastfeeding sessions. Think of them as small building blocks that help support bone health, growth, and overall nutrition as your baby enters toddlerhood.

2. Offering cow’s milk after one: what to know

After 12 months of age, children’s nutrient needs evolve as they rely more on solid foods and complementary beverages. Whole cow’s milk is commonly recommended for toddlers between 12 and 24 months because it provides several key nutrients essential for growth and development:

• Calcium: Critical for bone mineralization, nerve function, and muscle contraction
  

• Vitamin D: Helps with efficient calcium absorption and supports healthy bone formation
  

• Dietary fat: Vital for early brain and nervous system development; during the toddler years, adequate fat intake is important
  
  

Type of cow’s milk a 1-year-old usually needs

According to AAP guidance, whole‐fat cow’s milk (3.25% fat) is appropriate from ages 12 months to about 24 months. After age two, families may transition to reduced‐fat (2% or 1%) milk if dietary fat intake is otherwise sufficient and as supervised by a pediatrician or dietitian.

Daily milk intake guidance for toddlers 12–24 months

For toddlers ages 12 to 24 months, aim for:

• 16–24 ounces (2–3 cups) per day
  
  

This supports calcium/Vitamin D intake while leaving room for solid foods.

Avoid excess: Very high milk intake (>24 oz/day) may displace iron-rich foods and increase the risk of iron deficiency anemia.

Practical tip: Offer milk only at mealtimes rather than throughout the day. Offer water in between meals and ensure your toddler has access to a wide variety of foods.

3. Using toddler formula: When it may be helpful

Toddler formulas are intended for children ages 1–3 who are transitioning from infant formula to cow’s milk. They often contain higher levels of certain nutrients such as protein, iron, vitamins and minerals than cow’s milk. Toddlers can certainly meet all of their nutrient needs if they are consuming a wider variety of foods along with cow’s milk.

That said, toddler formulas can still play a helpful role for some families. Some parents use them during a transition period, and some children may benefit from specialty toddler formulas designed for specific growth or medical needs. As with many parts of feeding, the “right” choice depends on your child’s intake, growth, and what works best for your family.

4. Plant-based milks for toddlers: Which options best support nutrition?

For families who avoid dairy because of an allergy, lactose intolerance, or personal preference, several plant‐based milks can serve as alternatives. It’s important to choose unsweetened, fortified versions (with added calcium and vitamin D). It’s also important to note that most are not nutritionally equivalent to cow’s milk or formula, so paying close attention to what else is in your baby’s diet may be important. 

Best options:

• Fortified soy milk: Nutritionally closest to cow’s milk
  

• Pea protein milk: Higher protein than many plant milks
  

• Oat milk: Lower protein; ensure diet includes other protein sources
  
  

Less ideal as primary milk:

• Almond milk
  

• Coconut milk
  

• Rice milk
  
  

If you choose an alternative above, it’s best to consult with your pediatrician or a pediatric dietitian to ensure that their overall diet supports growth and includes adequate protein, fat, calcium, and vitamin D.

Cow’s milk and feeding transitions: key things to keep in mind

• Whole cow’s milk is recommended from 12–24 months

• Aim for 16–24 oz/day

• Continuing to breastfeed is okay, but consider also introducing cow’s milk foods or other good sources of calcium and Vitamin D

• Fortified soy or pea milk are best plant-based alternatives

• Toddler formulas are also a good option and provide comparable amounts of calcium and vitamin D as cow’s milk

• Transitions can be gradual

• Work with your pediatrician or dietitian for personalized guidance

 

---

From a Speech-Language Pathologist & Feeding Therapist: Bottle weaning after one: what most parents find helpful

Why many experts encourage bottle weaning around 12–18 months

Some parents feel sudden pressure to stop using a bottle or breastfeeding as soon as their baby turns one, even though this expectation can vary between families, cultures, and communities. At Bébé Foodie, we know feeding isn’t black and white. Understanding why these recommendations exist can help you make informed choices, but we also believe in gradual, realistic changes that fit your family’s pace and values.

Reasons bottle weaning matters

• Allows more opportunities to build cup drinking skills
  

• Early straw/cup practice reduces pressure later
  

• Helps maintain appetite for solids
  

• May reduce risk of articulation concerns
  

• May reduce nighttime dental caries risk
  

• Supports orofacial development

Bottom line: Encourage cup skills—but slow weaning is completely okay.

How to help your baby learn straw or open-cup drinking

When starting cup drinking I typically recommend offering straw cups as it promotes new skill development (as compared to sippy cups that children sometimes like to suck on like bottles). Now let’s be honest - if you occasionally use a sippy cup or use it for a transition period, don’t fret. They are just not recommended for long-term use. I also like offering open cups for similar skill development, but always acknowledge that this is expected to be messy. So while I like practicing them at home, I personally like straw drinking for on-the-go options.

Here’s the takeaway: Straw cups and open cups support oral motor development best, but sippy cups are ok short-term

 

Simple ways to support cup skills as they develop

Cup skills take time, and there are plenty of gentle ways to help your baby explore and practice without pressure.

• Lots of modeling and opportunities for them to practice
  

• If teaching straw drinking, start with a short straw if possible: this allows the liquid to get to your little one’s mouth quickly if they suck which helps them better understand the cause/effect of the straw!

• Use cups that allow push-assisted straw learning (Olababy, Honey Bear Cup)
  

• Try cups with handles
  

• Practice open cups in the bath or outside if you are worried about the mess
  

• Fill open cups high to reduce tipping difficulty
  
  

What to try if bottle weaning or cup drinking feels hard

If you have a child that is really struggling with weaning we know it can be stressful! Some of my favorite tips are:

• Drop your baby’s least favorite bottle/breastfeed first
  

• Substitute their favorite solid or a rewarding/fun activity during the typical time you previously offered bottle
  

• Change who does wake-ups/bedtime feeds if possible
  

• Slowly reduce the amount of milk/formula in the bottle at your own pace
  

• Avoid putting other liquids like water in bottles, since it adds another transition

Supporting your child through feeding transitions

Every baby adapts to feeding transitions differently—some drop bottles with ease, while others need more time and reassurance. It can help to keep routines predictable, offer milk with meals and water in between, and build in small, playful chances to practice cup drinking throughout the day. 

Real-life logistics also matter; daycare routines, cultural practices, and family schedules often shape how these transitions unfold. If you need a little extra support, reach out to your child’s pediatrician, a dietitian, or a feeding therapist to help you. Through it all, remember that following the spirit of the recommendations—supporting growth, safety, and development—is far more important than following them perfectly.

 

 

Written by Dr Michelle Shiffman, MD, Lauren Remondino, M. Ed., CCC-SLP, IBCLC & Catharine Seiler, RD, LDN (Full bios)

Dr Michelle Shiffman - Pediatrician & Advisor at Bébé Foodie

Dr. Michelle Shiffman is a board-certified pediatrician based in Denver, Colorado. She brings her expertise in early development, food introduction, and culturally-sensitive care to Bébé Foodie, where she supports the creation of our evidence-based content and contributes to our expert panel. Michelle’s favorite part of her work is connecting with families during infant and toddler visits—especially when it comes to discussing developmental milestones and feeding. As a mom herself, she's also experienced the ups and downs of starting solids and managing picky eating.

Lauren Remondino - Feeding Therapist, Speech Language Pathologist, Lactation Consultant & Advisor at Bébé Foodie

Lauren Remondino is a speech language pathologist that specializes in pediatric feeding therapy, lactation consultant, and mom of two. After years working at a top children’s hospital, she now brings her clinical expertise—and real-life parenting perspective—to Bébé Foodie. Lauren works closely on developing our How to Serve guides and feeding support content, helping parents feel confident at every stage of their baby’s food journey. She’s all about keeping things realistic, flexible, and supportive—because feeding isn’t one-size-fits-all, especially when you’re juggling nap schedules and snack requests.

Catharine Seiler - Pediatric Dietitian & Advisor at Bébé Foodie
Catharine Seiler is a pediatric dietitian with over 14 years of experience in both clinical and outpatient settings. She’s worked at Boston Children’s Hospital and now supports families daily at Lexington Pediatrics. At Bébé Foodie, Catharine lends her expertise to help parents feel confident about nutrition, from growth concerns to picky eating and food allergies. As a mom of two, she brings both professional insight and a real-life understanding of what feeding kids actually looks like.