Buying guide for best sippy cups
Do you think your baby might be ready to start drinking from a cup? If so, you probably don't relish the thought of countless cleanups and outfit changes once you begin that process. Thankfully, there are sippy cups to help your child transition from bottle/breast to cup. A sippy cup can save you lots of frustration by minimizing messes as your tot gains coordination and confidence.
We scoured the market to find the best sippy cups currently available; you can find them at in our product recommendations. If you’d like to learn a bit more about sippy cups before making a purchase, check out our detailed guide.
Sippy cup styles
Based on spout type, sippy cups fall into five different style classifications. We delve into each style below.
Soft-spout sippy cups
With a soft, pliable silicone spout, this type of sippy cup is ideal for a younger baby. The similarity of the spout to a bottle nipple eases baby into the transition. Generally introduced at around six months of age, this sippy cup style the easiest on an infant’s tender gums.
Flat-rim/cup-like sippy cups
This type of sippy cup looks a lot like a real cup, though it has a slightly raised lip along one side. As flat-rim sippy cups can be just a little more difficult to drink from, they are most suitable for children over the age of one.
Hard-spout sippy cups
As a baby gets older, soft-spout sippy cups simply cannot withstand the frequent biting, chewing, and gnashing of tiny teeth that occurs. Made from bite-resistant plastic, a hard-spout sippy cup is now better for the job. For most youngsters, the hard spout is a natural step up after the child has mastered the skill of drinking from a soft cup. Hard-spout sippy cups usually aren't needed before nine months of age, and many parents choose to wait until the child is one year old to make the switch.
360° spoutless sippy cups
This type of sippy cup is just about as close to a real cup as you can get. The cup opens when pressure is applied via the lips and closes as soon as the pressure is removed. While these cups are most commonly used by toddlers age two and up, they can be used by younger children as well.
Straw sippy cups
A straw sippy cup is a great option for a little one who is able to drink from a straw. The straw can help prevent tooth decay by minimizing tooth exposure to sugary fluids. Most straw sippy cups have silicone straws that are easily chewed, so you may wish to consider a straw sippy cup with a replaceable straw.
Expert Tip
If you decide to try giving your baby a sippy cup before he is six months old, fill it only with formula or breast milk.
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Sippy cup materials
What are sippy cups made of? Modern sippy cups can be made of a variety of materials, including plastic, glass, and stainless steel.
Plastic
Plastic is the most widely used sippy cup material. These cups are affordable, lightweight, and easy to find. Most are robust enough to survive being banged, dropped, and flung across the room. Almost all food-grade plastics are now BPA-free, and that’s preferable for health reasons. Still, it's best to err on the side of caution and check the packaging before buying a plastic sippy cup.
Glass
Eco-friendly, scratch-resistant, and free from harmful chemicals, glass bottles and sippy cups have grown in popularity. Notably, glass sippy cups are heavier than other types and may not be the most suitable for little hands. Moreover, they're the most likely type of sippy to break or shatter. If you opt for glass, proceed with caution.
Stainless steel
Incredibly durable, chemical-free, lightweight, and easy to clean, stainless steel sippy cups are seemingly perfect. On the downside, dents and dings are always a possibility, and stainless steel sippy cups tend to cost significantly more than other types of sippy cups.
For your safety
As tempting as it may be to use juice or other sweetened drinks to coax your baby into drinking from a sippy cup, the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends waiting until infants are at least a year old before introducing these types of beverages.
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Sippy cup sizes and shapes
Sippy cups come in just about every size and shape imaginable. Most “beginner” sippy cups are short and squat with a wide base that won't topple over easily.
Smaller sippy cups are easier for little ones to handle. For babies under the age of one, a capacity of five to eight ounces works best.
As your little one grows, so will her thirst, and she’ll naturally require a cup with a larger capacity. Between the ages of one and two, you may want to upgrade to a cup that holds between eight and 12 ounces.
Don't be tempted to jump to the largest cup right away, as it may be too heavy for the child to hold when filled to capacity.
"If you've already tried every spout without success, offer your baby a sippy cup with a straw. Some babies simply find a straw more appealing that a spout."
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Cleaning a sippy cup
Keeping your little one’s sippy cup clean is essential to his health and well-being. Before you make your purchase, make sure that all parts of the cup are fully detachable for proper cleaning.
Grime can quickly build up in the nooks and crannies of a sippy cup. The fewer parts the cup has, the easier it will be to clean.
Reaching the bottom of a narrow sippy cup can be difficult. If you opt for this cup style, make sure you have a suitable brush to clean the inside.
Did you know?
Straw sippy cups can be introduced at any age, provided your baby has learned to drink from a straw.
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Sippy cup prices
While size and brand certainly play a role in the price, most of what you end up paying for in a sippy cup will likely be determined by the materials with which its made.
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Plastic sippy cups are by far the most affordable. You can generally expect to pay between $3 and $10 per cup.
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Glass sippy cups start around $10 and can reach up to $30.
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Stainless steel sippy cups usually cost a minimum $15. The price can exceed $30.
Is the higher cost of a glass or stainless steel sippy cup worth it? That’s up to you.
We advise potential buyers to weigh the pros and cons of each material before making their purchase.
"For safety reasons, your child should remain seated when drinking from a sippy cup with a hard spout."
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Helpful sippy cup tips
Don't be disheartened if your baby isn't nearly as impressed by her brand new sippy cup as you are; instant sippy cup success is rarer than you might think.
Fortunately, there are a few tricks to help make the transition from bottle/breast to sippy cup easier.
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Remove the valve. A sippy cups with a no-spill valve may require more effort than your baby is accustomed to. If he takes the cup but seems frustrated or disinterested after one or two attempts, try removing the valve. Just be sure to guide the cup as he drinks to avoid splashes.
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Show her how it’s done. If you've already tried helping your baby hold the cup and guiding her hands to her mouth to no avail, grab a similar water bottle and take a sip yourself. Or better yet, purchase an extra sippy cup for yourself (preferably in a different color to avoid mix-ups) and use it around your baby. It might feel a bit silly at first, but babies are born mimics. Your baby may learn to use her cup by copying your actions.
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Try a different cup. Babies can be very particular about their likes and dislikes. A spout with a slightly different shape or texture just might do the trick.
- Keep trying. Often, babies just need a little time to become familiar with a new item. Keep offering water in a sippy cup at every mealtime.
FAQ
Q. At what age should I introduce a sippy cup?
A. While most parenting experts agree that six months is a good age at which to start offering a sippy cup, age alone isn't always the best indicator of readiness. Regardless of her age, your baby should be able to comfortably sit up without assistance before using a sippy. She should also have the grasp and coordination necessary to pick up an object and bring it toward her mouth.
Q. How often should I replace my child's sippy cup?
A. If a sippy cup shows signs of damage, you should probably throw it away. Scratches and scrapes may appear clean, but they are a breeding ground for bacteria. Plastic sippy cups that are used on a daily basis can take a serious beating at the hands of children and should be replaced every couple of months.
If you're using a scratch-resistant glass or stainless steel sippy cup, you may not need to replace the cup itself, but don't forget to inspect the spout or straw and replace as needed.
Q. When should my child stop using a sippy cup?
A. Most children are ready to start moving away from using a sippy cup somewhere between the ages of two and three. Although using a regular cup beyond this point is recommended, the extended use of sippy cups with either straws or flat rims is unlikely to cause any developmental issues.
