“Usually, the earliest children can learn to drink from some sort of cup is around 6 months old," says Heather Shafi, MD, of Pediatrician Care Associates in New Jersey. “This is both when they can learn a new oral-motor skill and when their core tends to be sturdy enough for them to be able to sit upright for short periods of time.” We looked carefully at design, material, age recommendations, and maintenance when reviewing products. Use this guide to find the right straw sippy cup for your needs. Flip open the lid to reveal an almond-shaped straw that conforms to your baby’s mouth. If your kiddo prefers gripping the cup like a bottle, you can remove the handles. The straw also comes apart for easy, thorough cleaning. Price at time of publish: $12 A flip-top lid makes it easy to take this option on the go, and the handles are good for small hands learning to grasp their cup. While young kids will likely have no problems with the cup, some adults find that the weighted straw is a bit hard to clean. Price at time of publish: $7 Price at time of publish: $18 Price at time of publish: $39 Price at time of publish: $13 The 12-ounce volume is also convenient for life on the go, though the cup can be heavy for little hands when it’s full of liquid. We like that the pop-up lid prevents spilling during travel, as well as the fact that the cup comes with an extra straw. Price at time of publish: $17 Price at time of publish: $8 Price at time of publish: $9 For a modern take, the silicone Avanchy Le Petite Silicone Mini Cup (view at Maisonette) is really attractive and can be a great at-home option for little kids (especially those who want to look like big kids).
What to Look for in a Straw Sippy Cup
Age-Appropriate
Before settling on a straw sippy cup, always check the manufacturer’s age recommendation to ensure it’s safe for your little one to use. The age recommendation of a product can typically be found on the product’s packaging or manufacturer’s website. This age recommendation simply shows the product was designed or intended for children of that age or older. Children can begin phasing out bottles between 12 months and 24 months old. However, a sippy cup is safe to use for babies before that big transition happens.
Type
There are many different types of straw sippy cups on the market, including stainless steel, plastic, and glass. Some sippy cups are available with handles, giving babies an easier and more secure hold. Some parents and caregivers prefer buying a variety of straw sippy cups to see which type their little one will handle best. If you want your child’s drink to stay cold or warm for a long time, consider a stainless steel straw sippy cup. The insulation helps keep the drink cool all day long, which is ideal for those hot summer days at the zoo or pool. While stainless steel straw sippy cups may cost more, they’re durable and can be reused for longer than plastic cups. For a more budget-friendly option, straw sippy cups made from plastic are a great starting point. They’re easy to clean, and some even come with a contoured design so babies can hold their cup easier. Many parents and caregivers are concerned about the chemicals in plastic, though almost all are now BPA-free. Another alternative to plastic is glass. These cups, like stainless steel, are reusable, but they’re not as durable when dropped. If a protective cover is not on a glass sippy cup, it poses a risk of injury to your baby, as the glass could break.
Capacity
Just like adult cups, straw sippy cups are available in different capacities, from as little as 4 ounces to as much as 12 ounces. How big your child’s sippy cup needs to be can depend on many factors, like your family’s daily activities. For example, if your little one is using a sippy cup to transition to an open cup, you can try a small cup for less mess. If your family plans on taking a trip, you could also opt for a bigger cup to hold more liquid for the flight or car ride. Infants as young as 6 months and up to 12 months old can have anywhere from 4 to 8 ounces of water in a day. A straw sippy cup with this capacity can help parents and caregivers measure how much liquid the child has in a given day.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of an 11-year-old son, 8-year-old son, and 4-year old daughter, who are all done with the sippy cup phase. To keep your baby’s straw sippy cup sanitary, always rinse immediately after use to prevent mold from setting in. If you can’t rinse, allow the cup and its pieces to soak in soapy, hot water before cleaning them with a straw brush. Once you’ve finished cleaning them by hand, place them in the dishwasher to be sterilized, which can help kill any bacteria left behind. Despite their convenience, straw sippy cups are often used for too long and sometimes with liquids high in sugars, like juice or soda. These sugars can stay on your child’s teeth, leading to plaque and other dental issues, such as cavities.
