Sippy cups help babies transition from the breast or bottle to using cups. With so many sippy cups in the market, how can parents choose the best products? This article provides a buying guide and highlights the seven most practical cups for your baby.
Buyers Guide For Sippy Cups
When looking for a sippy cup, look for one that is leak-proof. You wouldn’t want drinks dripping from the cup as you transition from the breast. Besides, look for cups that are easy to clean. Avoid cups that are likely to harbor germs and bacteria. Opt for sippy cups that can be disassembled in parts for easier cleaning.
Next, find those that are easy and comfortable for your baby’s hands. These sippy cups need to be lightweight and have grippy handles. Lastly, look for cups that are safe and free from chemicals. Look for BPA-free products. Alternatively, look for stainless steel, silicone, or glass cups.
Best Sippy Cups For 4-6 Months
Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup
The Munchkin Miracle 360 is a great cup to transition your little one from breast or bottle. The trainer cup is 100% spill-proof. The valve shuts automatically when a baby is not sipping. It only lets liquid out when your baby applies pressure on the silicone cap. With this cup, your 4-6-month-old baby will have an easy transition from the bottle. Besides, the cup has a 360-degree drinking angle. Your baby can drink from any point from the cup. This not only supports their dental health but their muscle development too.
What To Expect recommends this cup to parents because it is BPA free, easy to clean, assemble, and does not include spouts, straws, or pieces. Munchkin Company, however, cautions parents against microwaving the trainer cup or using it with hot liquids.
Tommee Tippee First Sips Soft Transition Cups
This Tommy Tippee’s cup is excellent for babies as young as four months. The teat is as soft as breast and bottle to ease your baby's transition. The silicone spout is incredibly gentle for teething babies. It also encourages little ones to suck from any side of the cup. The transition cup is lightweight and has the perfect grip for a baby's hands. The sippy cup is easy to clean by hand or the dishwasher. It is BPA free, too, and can be sterilized by steam.
Doidy Cup
The Doidy cup has a strange appearance. But before you scroll away, it is a perfect transition cup for babies who dislike bottles or parents who do not want to introduce sissy cups. The cup does not include a spout. Instead, it is has a slighted slant to teach babies how to drink from a rim. The mug is not spill-proof, so be prepared for a few messes. Babies can use the Doidy cup from the 6th month. Since it is only one piece, the cup is easy to clean. Sadly, it is not an on-the-go cup.
Best Sippy Cups For 6-12 Months
ZoLi Bot Straw Sissy Cup
According to Lucie’s List, the ZoLi Bot cup is ideal for babies who love drinking from a straw. It is recommended for babies aged nine months and older. The straw cup is also great for active kids. The weighted straw ensures your child is fed regardless of their angle when drinking. The sissy cup is easy for babies to hold thanks to the dual handles.
The BPA free cup is easy for parents to clean and assemble. Healthline, however, cautions parents against letting their baby chew on the straw. In addition, parents need to confirm the top is screwed correctly to avoid spills and messes.
Munchkin Click Lock Weighted Straw Trainer Cup
This Munchkin cup has a 'click lock' system to prevent spills for both parents and babies. The mug makes the click sound when it is closed. Besides, the straw is weighted to ensure a toddler sips liquid from any angle. The 7 oz. cup has comfortable grips for a 6-month old baby. Munchkin Company packs a straw brush with this trainer cup for easy cleaning. In addition, the company offers a 100% replacement guarantee if the cup leaks.
Best Sippy Cups For 12 Months+
Olababy 100% Silicone Training Cup
Parents can use Olababy training cups to transition toddlers from sissy cups to adult cups. Not only is the mug easy to grip, but it also includes a weighted base. The stability on the bottom reduces the probability of the cup tipping over and causing spills. The training cup is safe for babies because it is made from food-grade silicone. It also has measurements on the sides that parents can use to measure quantity when mixing or serving liquids. Parents can also sterilize the silicone cup with high and cold temperatures. It is also dishwasher safe.
First Essentials by NUK
Does your toddler enjoy biting? The First Essentials by NUK has a raised, bite-resistant spout design. The cup also encourages toddlers to drink independently. The NUK cup is 100% spill-proof, thanks to its unique valve. The hourglass shape prevents tipping and messes too. The mug is easy to use, clean, assemble and disassemble.
Sources: What To Expect, Healthline, Lucie’s List.