If we’re being completely honest, the idea of using sippy cups is a lot more exciting for us parents than it is for our kids. Aside from the fact that the transition to using a sippy cup marks another milestone for your baby, it’s also comforting to know that you’ll have fewer cleanups to take care of. In addition to the convenience that sippy cups offer, don’t forget that they also play an important role in your baby’s transition away from bottle feeding.
If you’re unsure if your baby is ready to use a sippy cup look out for signs – once a baby can sit independently and lift objects with both hands, raising them to the mouth, it’s probably time to bring out the sippy cup. Just keep the advice of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and use sippy cups as a temporary transition to teach your baby how to use an open cup. Of course, this transition period could take anywhere from a few weeks to a year, so it’s important to choose a high-quality sippy cup that your baby will love, makes life easier for you, and lasts long enough.
What to Consider When Choosing a Sippy Cup
Spill Prevention Without No-Spill Valves
Spill-preventing valves are best avoided because they defeat the purpose of training cups, forcing your baby to suck, rather than sip. It’s understandable that many parents balk at the idea of having to ditch sippy cups with no-spill valves, considering how taxing it can be to constantly have to clean up. Fortunately, you can get sippy cups that prevent spills without the use of this valve. They are designed with weighted bottoms that add stability and reduce the risk of the cup falling over, while some also include flattened straws and other types of straws that prevent backflow so that the liquid won’t get out even if the cup falls over.
The Type of Spout
Childcare and speech development experts caution against the use of sippy cups with hard spouts as frequent use of such cups may restrict tongue movement as it limits the free range of movement. This can interfere with oral-motor development, affecting both nutrition intake and speech development. Soft spouts such as those made from silicone and straw cups are a better alternative and are less likely to cause any problems.
Ease of Cleaning
When buying sippy cups, a big motivator for parents is the idea of having less of a mess with frequent spills. Ease of cleaning is just as important to minimize your tasks and also to ensure your baby’s hygiene. Sippy cups need to be washed after every use because they have layers and grooves where mold and bacteria can grow quite easily. Taking this into account, you need a sippy cup that’s easy to clean so that you can do it as many times a day as necessary. Dishwasher-safe cups would be the most obvious choice, but there are others too. Just look at the reviews of any sippy cup you’re considering to find out what other parents have to say about cleaning.
Ease of Use
Aside from looking appealing to kids, a sippy cup must be easy to use and should actually help your baby learn to drink from a regular open cup. This means that it should be easy to grip and maneuver because fine motor skills and coordination are still developing at this stage. Textured fabrics and cups with two handles are the best choice in this context. Additionally, cups that can be squeezed lightly to get the fluid flowing will also make it easier for a baby to use.
Free of Toxic Chemicals
Plastic products, including sippy cups for babies, often contain toxic chemicals that can increase the risk of serious long-term health conditions. Chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenols that are used to increase the softness and durability of plastics have been linked to brain developmental disorders, endocrine disorders, cancer, and other chronic diseases. Although the most commonly used bisphenol, BPA, was banned by the FDA, other BPA alternatives may pose similar risks. When choosing a sippy cup make sure that it’s made from high-quality plastic without such chemicals or opt for one that uses medical-grade silicon, tempered glass, or stainless steel instead.