As a new parent you might wonder how to increase independence and skills like drinking from a cup is a great skill for this. Babies can begin using a sippy cup as early as 6 months of age, but some experts recommend waiting until 9 months or later to help ensure that your baby is developmentally ready for this transition. It’s important for all of us to keep in mind that every baby is unique and some may take longer to develop the coordination and fine motor skills needed to drink from a sippy cup. So if it takes your baby longer, don’t you worry!
When you introduce sippy cups, we recommend to start with a cup that has a soft spout and is lightweight, with handles that are easy for your baby to grasp. When we looked for the best sippy cups, we also look for spill proof sippy cups to make it easy on yourself and your baby. You can also try starting with small amounts of liquid and gradually increasing the amount as your baby becomes more comfortable with the cup. If your baby has trouble with the sippy cup at first, don’t get discouraged. Simply wait a few weeks and try again.
From our experience, it seems like a good idea to transition from a bottle to a sippy cup gradually. Start with offering the sippy cup for just a few sips during each feeding before gradually increasing the amount of time that your baby spends drinking from the sippy cup. This can help your baby get used to the new device and prevent frustration or confusion.
NUK Learner Cup
These sippy cups are great for babies who are 6 months or older! It has a soft spout and easy grip handles, making it a good option for babies who are just starting to use a cup. It also has a leak proof design, which can help prevent spills as your baby learns to use the cup. It is a bpa free cup and dishwasher safe so you can clean it super easily.
haakaa Silicone Sip-N-Snack Cup
One of the unique features that makes it one of the best sippy cups is that it has a removable snack cup on top. This can be used to hold snacks such as crackers or fruit pieces. This can be a convenient feature for parents who want to offer their baby both a drink and a snack at the same time.
Like other cups, it is a spill-proof sippy cup, which any mom will love. It is also bpa free and made of food-grade silicone, which is safe for babies to use and easy cleaning in the dishwasher.
Munchkin Any Angle Weighted Straw Trainer Cup
This plastic cup has a weighted straw that allows your baby to drink from any angle. The straw is also designed to be soft and flexible. It can help your baby develop their oral motor skills, as they have to use their tongue and mouth muscles to suck up the liquid through the straw. Straw sippy cups can also help promote good dental health, as drinking through a straw can help reduce the risk of tooth decay. Of course it is also BPA free and top rack dishwasher safe. The flip top lid of the straw cups prevents spills when on thee go in your bag.
Munchkin Gentle Transition Trainer Cup
This small sippy cup is designed for babies who are 4 months or older and are just starting to transition from breast or baby bottles to using a cup. A nice feature of the training cup is that it has removable handles, which can come in handy when your baby is ready to use the sippy cup without them. It has a flexible and soft silicone spout.
Mama Bear Weighted Straw Sippy Cup
This is one of the best sippy cups for parents who are looking for an affordable and easy-to-use sippy cup for their baby who is transitioning to using a cup. There are removeable handles, silicone straw, and lid that can all bee washed easily. A cleaning straw is also included which is essential for cleaning straw cups. It is also made of BPA free materials, which are safe for babies to use.
Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup
The cup has a spill-proof design and a 360-degree drinking edge, which allows your baby to drink from anywhere around the edge of the cup. Training cups are also easy to clean, as they does not have any small parts or crevices that can trap dirt or bacteria. It also automatically seals when you are done drinking. Keep in mind that some babies may take longer to master drinking from the rim of the cup.
Benefits to using a sippy cup for babies
Promotes oral development: Using a sippy cup can help babies practice their oral motor skills, such as sucking and swallowing, which is important for their overall speech and feeding development.
Increases independence: As babies begin to use a sippy cup, they can learn to drink on their own, which can help them feel more independent and confident.
Prevents tooth decay: When babies are exclusively drinking from a bottle, they may consume sugary liquids for prolonged periods of time, which can increase their risk for tooth decay. Using a sippy cup can help reduce this risk.
Supports the transition from bottle to cup: The sippy cup is a stepping stone between the bottle and a regular cup, making the transition to eventually drink from a standard cup easier.
Convenient for on-the-go: Sippy cups are portable and easy to carry, making them a convenient option for on-the-go feedings and hydration.
Easy to clean: Many sippy cups are dishwasher safe and have few parts, making them easy to clean and sanitize.
Sometimes we hear parents they tried out a few plastic sippy cups before finding the one for them, similar as with baby bottles. So we recommend that you get the one that makes the most sense for you. There are different types of sippy cups. If you want one that can be a snack cup or an open cup after some time, then that limits your options. It is a great addition to your baby gear and you can take on hikes or walks with an all terrain stroller.
It is great that they often transition to regular cups or snack holders as your kids get older, giving them independence and confidence. As they get older, they might also benefit from a potty training watch, which also helps them be independent and know when to go potty.
