I got my son a sippy cup and let him try just for fun when he was exactly 6 months old - no reason, just wanted to see how he'd use it and to my surprise, he got it figured out! Although he lost interest after a few minutes... so everyday since then I'd let him have his sippy cup filled with warm boiled water to have after he eats his solid. It's good practise I guess and he doesn't seem to be confuse with his normal milk botte either.