Letting your child grow up is an incredible experience but also an incredibly hard experience because they grow so quickly. One milestone that marks the transition from a baby to big kid is the use of a cup rather than a bottle.

Baby bottles are cute but let's face it, they are for babies. When your child is able to eat food like a big kid they need to be able to drink like a big kid too.

Some children are very attached to a bottle whereas other children have blankets, lovies, toys or stuffed animals that make me them feel safe and secure. Unfortunately for some parents there are children that have both an item and a bottle so you have to know your child and know what makes them comfortable and replace that with something new.

Parents often try the out of sight out of mind option. Once you wash the bottles you completely hide them and only offer the big kid cup. If a child has no choice, they will eventually get over the disappearing bottle act and start the new cups.

Many parents try to explain or rationalize the transition with their children by saying, "big kids drink out of cups and little babies drink from bottles. You are a big kid now so the bottles need to go bye-bye." Sometimes this works whereas other times children become totally hysterical thinking their favorite item is about to go away forever.

Some gradually take them away by offering a bottle in the morning and at night but only cups during the day with meals.

Listen and watch your child and figure out what the best solution is for both of you. It is hard for both parents and kids to let go of the "baby" bottle but in the end it will make life easier on both.