Do You Need a Feeding Conversion Kit? Signs It Is Time
By Dr Browns | Published: 2026-10-14
Category: How-to Guides
A conversion kit turns your anti-colic bottle into a sippy bottle without replacing the whole set. Here are the signs your baby is ready, plus how to switch.
Quick answer
You do not need a conversion kit for every baby, but it is worth considering if your baby already drinks from an anti-colic bottle and is showing signs of sippy readiness, such as sitting with support and showing interest in cups. A conversion kit lets you reuse the bottle you already own by adding handles and a sippy spout, which is cheaper and less wasteful than replacing the whole set. If your baby is still comfortable with a bottle and not showing readiness signs, wait.
What a feeding conversion kit actually changes
A conversion kit is not a new bottle. It is a set of parts that swap the teat for a sippy spout and often add handles, so the same bottle body becomes a training cup. Dr. Brown’s Milestones Narrow Sippy Bottle with Silicone Handles is one example: it uses a soft silicone sippy spout and removable silicone handles on a narrow bottle. The kit approach means you keep the anti-colic vent system you already trust and only change the top.
The practical benefit is cost and cabinet space. Instead of buying a separate sippy cup, you reuse the bottle. The tradeoff is that conversion parts are specific to the bottle series. A kit for a wide-neck bottle will not fit a narrow-neck bottle, and vice versa.
Signs your baby is ready to switch from bottle to sippy
Most babies show readiness between 6 and 12 months, but the timeline varies. Look for a combination of skills rather than a single sign. If your baby can sit upright with minimal support, brings objects to their mouth deliberately, and shows curiosity when you drink from a cup, those are strong cues. Another sign is playing with the bottle teat or chewing it instead of feeding, which often means the bottle is no longer satisfying.
If your baby is still arching, coughing, or leaking milk during bottle feeds, the issue may be teat flow rather than readiness. In that case, adjust the teat level first. A conversion kit will not fix a flow problem.
How to convert an anti-colic bottle to a sippy bottle
Start with a clean, sterilised bottle body. Remove the teat, collar, and internal vent parts. Attach the sippy spout and handles according to the kit instructions. For a bottle like the Dr Brown’s Options+ Anti-Colic Baby Bottle Starter Kit, you already have multiple bottle sizes, so you can convert the 5 oz/150 ml size for early sippy practice and keep the 9 oz/270 ml size for milk feeds.
Offer the converted bottle with water or a small amount of milk at a time when your baby is calm, not overly hungry. Expect some spillage. The goal is familiarity, not perfection. If your baby refuses, put it away and try again in a few days.
When a conversion kit is not the right move
Skip the kit if your baby is under 6 months, still needs a reclined feeding position, or has feeding difficulties supervised by a specialist. Also skip it if you only have one bottle and rely on it for every feed; you will need a separate sippy cup so you are not caught without a bottle. Finally, if your baby already drinks from a straw cup or open cup happily, a conversion kit adds an extra step you do not need.
Conversion kit FAQ
- Can I use a conversion kit with any Dr. Brown’s bottle?
- No. Conversion parts are designed for specific bottle series. A wide-neck kit fits wide-neck bottles, and a narrow kit fits narrow bottles. Check the kit’s compatibility before buying. Match the kit to your bottle’s neck width.
- At what age should I switch to a sippy spout?
- Many babies are ready between 6 and 12 months, but readiness signs matter more than age. Sitting with support, bringing objects to the mouth, and showing interest in cups are better indicators than a birthday. Watch skills, not just the calendar.
- Will a sippy spout help with colic?
- No. Colic relief comes from the anti-colic vent system in the bottle, not the spout. If colic is your main concern, keep using the vented bottle and address the spout transition separately. Do not expect a spout to change colic symptoms.
- How do I clean the conversion parts?
- Wash the spout and handles in warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Most silicone parts are dishwasher-safe on the top rack, but check the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific kit. Clean all parts before first use and after every feed.
Products that support the switch
- Dr Brown's Anti-Colic Options+ Wide-Neck Baby Bottle, 5oz/150ml, 2-Pack - Designs: Dr Brown's Anti-Colic Options+ Wide-Neck Baby Bottle, 5oz/150ml, 2-Pack - Designs includes two 5 oz/150 ml wide-neck bottles with the Options+ anti-colic vent system. The 5 oz size is a practical starting point for sippy conversion because it is lighter for small hands, and the two-pack means you can keep one as a bottle while converting the other.
- Dr. Brown’s Milestones™ Narrow Sippy Bottle with Silicone Handles, 8oz/250mL, 6m+ Pink: Dr. Brown’s Milestones Narrow Sippy Bottle with Silicone Handles, 8oz/250mL, 6m+ Pink has a soft silicone sippy spout, removable 100% silicone handles, and a snap-on cap. If you prefer a ready-made sippy rather than converting your own bottle, this shows the handle and spout design to look for. The 6m+ age marking aligns with common readiness signs.
- Dr Brown's Options+ Anti-Colic Baby Bottle Starter Kit: Dr Brown's Options+ Anti-Colic Baby Bottle Starter Kit includes one 9 oz/270 ml bottle, two 5 oz/150 ml bottles, two Level 2 teats, two Level 3 teats, and three Level 1 teats. Having multiple bottle sizes and teat levels lets you match the bottle to your baby's current feeding stage, so you can convert one size to sippy while keeping another for milk feeds.
