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When it’s time for your little one to make the transition from breast or bottle to drinking from a cup, the sippy cup will be your new BFF. Used as the go-between after the nipple but before a regular cup, the sippy cup helps babies learn to drink with way less mess—which is something we’re always all for.
The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends switching your little one over to a cup somewhere between one and two years of age. But just like with solid food, there’s a learning curve that comes along with using a cup, and an open-top option can be a messy way to start.
Sippy cups, also known as transition cups, feature a lid to minimize spills and can withstand being tossed from a high chair or stroller. Some even stay leak-free when turned upside-down, and are also convenient to take on the go. (Just keep in mind that many won’t fit in cup holders because of their wide bases, which are designed to minimize toppling over when they’re set down.)
You’ll know your little one is sippy-cup ready when they are able to sit up in a high chair, which could be as early as six months old. It’s also completely fine to skip the sippy cup altogether and go right to an open cup. You’ll need some patience and a whole lot of paper towels, but it’s completely doable and some parents even prefer to go this route.
Sippy cups come in four different styles:
Sippy cups also come in a variety of materials. While plastic continues to dominate the market, there are other options with different benefits, too.
We can’t lie to you—sippy cups rank right up there next to humidifiers as one of parents’ most-complained-about items of baby gear to keep clean. Packed with nooks and crannies that just love to hang onto milk and other liquid residue, sippy cups can be a breeding ground for mold and other types of bacteria if not cleaned properly, so it’s important to be diligent about the cleaning process.
Be sure to follow the cleaning directions for your specific cup. Some can go in the top rack of the dishwasher, while others are hand wash only. You’ll also want to have a good bottle brush on hand and a cleaning set to get deep into those hard-to-reach spots.
Have a microwave bottle sterilizer? Don’t put it away just yet—you may be able to use it with your sippy cup. And if the cleaning instructions indicate it’s okay, you can also put some sippy cups in a pot of boiling water for five minutes to sterilize them as needed.
The plastic construction is BPA-free and comes in a variety of bright colours. The cup can hold a full 8 ounces of liquid. It’s also an affordable option. This cup gets high marks from customers because it’s easy to clean, durable, and leak-free.
All materials in this plastic cup are BPA-free and screw apart for easy cleaning. Customers like the adaptability of this cup. The handles can be removed as your child gets more skilled at holding a cup. You can also use Munchkin bottle nipples when necessary.
The Tommee Tippee First Sips Soft Transition Cup holds 5 ounces of liquid and is made for babies 4 months old and up. Its plastic construction is BPA-free and it features a soft silicone spout that encourages a “natural cup drinking action” by dispensing liquid at an angle. You may use bottle nipples or the included sippy top that comes with the cup, lending to its versatility.
While it may look unusual (yes, it’s slanted!), the DOIDY Cup is an open-top cup that can be used, under supervision, by children as young as 4 months old. Its slanted shape was designed 40 years ago and is made from food-safe, BPA-free high-density (HD) polyethylene. The main advantage of this cup is that it helps teach the youngest children to drink from a rim, not a spout. Parents like that it’s all one piece and simple to clean.
The NUK Learner Cup comes in 5- or 10-ounce sizes and features removable handles for your growing baby. It’s appropriate for babies 6 months old or over, and it’s made from BPA-free plastic. The cup has a soft silicone spout that has a special vent to prevent baby from swallowing too much air. Parents share that this cup is easy to handwash and that the travel piece that comes with the cup prevents leaks when it’s tossed in a diaper bag.
The ZoLi BOT Straw Sippy Cup is suitable for babies 9 months old or over. It features a weighted straw, so your little one can get liquid no matter how the cup is oriented. The plastic is BPA-free and can be hand washed or run through your dishwasher for cleaning. You can also purchase replacement straws. Parents who like this cup say that it’s simple to assemble and that the handles are easy for babies to hold.
The Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup is an affordable option. The unique spoutless construction allows babies 6 months old and over to simulate drinking from an open cup without the spills. It’s also streamlined with only three main pieces and top-rack dishwasher safe.
The economical First Essentials by NUK Fun Grips Sippy Cup is made from BPA-free plastic. The two-part design is simple and the hourglass shape is easy for toddlers ages 12 months and older to grab. This cup features a 100 percent spill-proof, leak-proof, break-proof guarantee. You may wash this sippy cup either by hand or in the dishwasher.
Nuby’s No-Spill Flex Straw Cup is a popular choice for toddlers who prefer straws to spouts. The silicone straw has a built-in valve to prevent spills and leaks, and it’s sturdy enough to stand up to occasional biting. While this 10-ounce cup doesn’t have handles, it does feature a contoured design for little hands to grip and is made from BPA-free plastic.
The extra touches on this spout cup set it apart. Not only does it have handles that can be removed when your little one is ready for a more cup-like feel, but it also has a hinged cap that makes it easy to prevent leaks when you’re taking it on the go. Users love that it’s a clear cup with markings that make it easy to see how much is left and to pour specific amounts of liquid into the cup.
This cup from NUK has a layer of ArcticWrap insulation that’s intended to keep liquids cold for up to 6 hours. The BPA-free plastic can be handwashed or run through your dishwasher for cleaning. People who recommend this cup say it has exceptional protection against leaks.
There are so many types and designs of sippy cups available that it’s easy to become overwhelmed. To keep it simple, here are the most important features to look for when choosing what and what not to spend your money on.
You may try a sippy cup with your child as early as 4 months old, but it’s not necessary to begin the switch this early. Experts suggest to start offering your baby a cup around 6 months of age, around the time when they begin solid foods. Some babies may be more ready to try a cup when they are around 9 or 10 months old. Aim to use cups full time by the time your child turns 2 years old.
Overall, remember that making this switch will take time. It’s learning a whole new skill, after all! Don’t be discouraged if it takes several weeks for them to figure out a new cup — they will get there in time.
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