Getting a baby to transition from a bottle or breast to a sippy cup can be quite an adventure. Babies often resist moving from the texture of a soft nipple to the hard plastic sometimes associated with a sippy cup, but not all sippy cups are created equal! With options from soft spouts to straws and everything in between, there’s a good option for every baby.
What to Look for in a Sippy Cup
- Easy for baby to hold. Babies like when they can hold their own sippy cup, and parents like it too. Look for a cup with handles or with a narrower water chamber so your baby can hold it.
- Simple to assemble and disassemble. When you are trying to get a drink to a thirsty baby, you want something that goes together quickly.
- Well made. Make sure you are getting a BPA-free sipper cup, as you don’t want to be exposing your baby to harmful chemicals. You also want to be sure the cup is sturdy and durable.
- No leaking. This is one of the most important to me. My baby makes enough messes without having a leaking cup.
- Dishwasher safe and easily washed. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to wash extra dishes by hand. I need a cup that is dishwasher safe and will get completely clean without me having to do extra work.
- Size. I like a sippy cup that will fit in my daughter’s car seat cup holder, the stroller cup holder, and in the diaper bag. Also, if your child drinks a lot, you probably want a larger capacity cup so you don’t have to refill it as often.
- Spout. The main types of sippy spout are silicone, soft, hard, and straw. Silicone spouts and straws are better for younger infants. Once they start getting teeth, they will chew, so you will want to switch to a soft or hard spout at that point. Hard spouts are better for older infants and toddlers.
Advantages of Using a Sippy Cup
My breastfeeding 11-month-old refuses to take a bottle, but she’s finally started to use a sippy cup. All the praise hands emojis for not being a human drinking fountain anymore! Before she started using a sippy cup, she’d ask to nurse whenever she got a little bit thirsty at the park, at the grocery store, or at a friend’s house.
I’m not in a hurry to wean, but the constant 30-second public nursing sessions were starting to wear me out. So thank you sippy cups! I also just took my baby on a flight home for Memorial Day, and since she also will not take a binky, I was able to give her sips from the cup to help her ears pop on the plane. She loves to hold it and drink on her own, so it was good entertainment as well.
Here are our favorite sippy cups:
Our Favorite Sippy Cups for Kids
Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup
The Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup is my favorite choice. It’s a newer style, and the design is brilliant. The round rubber seal on top lays snugly against the plastic, keeping the water in. But when baby sucks on the edge of the cup and tips it up, the water can flow between the seal and the cup. It is a great way to introduce drinking from a glass without her dumping water all over her front.
Dentists recommend this sipper cup, probably because it doesn’t put pressure on the front teeth like a spout style. The handles are a good size and easy to hold, and the cup holds 7 oz of water. There is a similar version for older children that doesn’t have the “helper handles” and holds more liquid.
The cup has three pieces that come apart easily for cleaning. All parts are made of good quality plastic (BPA-free!), and there are no ragged plastic seams from manufacturing.
It does leak a little when upside down or sideways, but only if it’s tipped over and being shaken or bounced (like in the car) for a while. It will also splash a bit if thrown off a high chair onto the floor.
Dr. Brown’s Cheers 360 Spoutless Training Cup
So my baby tends to throw everything she gets her hands on. If you have a baby who does that too, this is the sippy cup for you! Dr. Brown’s training cup is perfect for destructive babies because of how tough it is built. The lid stays sealed even when it is thrown off the table or banged against the ground. This is because liquid only comes out if you tip the cup and suck the rim.
I love so many features of this training cup, but my favorite is that babies can sip from any edge and don’t need to find a spout. It is a great introduction to drinking out of a big kid cup since it is shaped the same way. You can’t go wrong with this option!
Best Trainer Sippy Cup/Best First Sippy Cup
Philips AventMy Natural Trainer Sippy Cup
This cup is absolute genius! It is perfect for the baby just learning to use a sippy cup. It includes both a silicone bottle nipple and a silicone sippy spout. If you start out with the nipple and change it out for the spout, your baby might not even realize he is drinking from a spout!
This cup has small removable handles for when your baby is ready to hold his own cup.
Like other Philips Avent products, this trainer sippy cup has technology which prevents colic by venting air. Made specifically for babies 4 months and older, this is a great first sippy cup.
Best Transitional Sippy Cup (Bottle to Sippy)
Nuk Learner Cup with Silicone Spout
The NUK learner cup has a soft silicone spout that is similar to the shape and material of a bottle nipple. That is a huge help when transitioning your child from a bottle to a sippy cup. The spout pops out of the screw on ring and is easy to clean in the dishwasher or by hand. You will find the handles easy for baby to hold and removable for cleaning or when baby outgrows them.
If you’ve got a biter who likes to chew through bottles and sippy cups, you can buy replacement spouts for just a few dollars. It also includes a cap to keep the spout clean when you toss it in your diaper bag (or when it rolls around the floor of the car #reallife). A less functional perk is the cute, cute, cute designs. The Nuk Learner Cup comes in a 5 ounce or 10 ounce option.
Best Sippy Cup for Breastfed Babies
Munchkin LATCH Transition Cup
I gave up trying to convince my daughter to take a bottle months and months ago, but I wish I had known about the Munchkin LATCH Transition Cup back then. It is a great option for breastfed babies who are learning to use a sippy cup. The Munchin LATCH has a soft nipple/spout that can flex as babies turn their heads.
The valve at the bottom of the bottle is unique too, and it keeps milk flowing to reduce bubbles and colic. Measurement markings on the side help if you are using either formula or breast milk. Helper handles are removable, and a snap-on cap keeps the spout clean. This cup is dishwasher safe and BPA-free.
Best Toddler Sippy Cup
Re-Play No Spill Sippy Cups
These made in the USA sippy cups are made from FDA-approved, BPA-free recycled plastic. Not only will you feel good about helping the environment, you will love that this toddler sippy cup is leak-proof.
It’s also safe to put in the dishwasher and the microwave. The plastic is durable, and the silicone valve is easy to wash. This option is great for toddlers with teeth, as it has a hard spout that can withstand biting.
The Re-Play No Spill Sippy Cups come in a 3 pack, with several color options.
Best Straw Sippy Cup
OXO Tot Transitions Straw Cup with Removable Handles
I’ve trusted OXO for a long time based on their high-quality kitchen gadgets, but they also make also make excellent children’s products! The OXO Tot Transitions Straw Cup with Removable Handles is used and loved by savvy moms–and for good reason. If you’re looking for a sippy cup with a straw, this is the one.
The clear cup with measurement markings make it easy to see what’s inside and measure out liquids (or assure yourself that your busy toddler will probably not die of dehydration on the playground today). The clear container is also nice because it’s easier to see if it’s thoroughly clean when washing. Removable handles mean it can fit in a cup holder if needed.
I like that the cap is attached and slides down to lock and seal the straw because chances are good that I’ll lose a removable cap. It is leak-proof and crack-resistant this one is, so give it a try. It is the most expensive option on this list, but considering the quality and the convenience of the straw, this is a winner!
Best Sippy Cup for Milk
Tommee Tippee Insulated Sipper
If you want to keep your child’s milk cold, the Tommee Tippee Insulated Sipper is an excellent choice. It holds 9 ounces (206 mL) and comes in several fun colors. The 2 piece valve is easy to remove and to clean. As your little one continues learning to drink, you can remove the valve to practice drinking with free-flowing liquid.
While this cup doesn’t come with handles, all Tommee Tippee cups have interchangeable parts. That means you can transfer handles from another Tommee Tippee cup to this one.
This sippy cup is very durable and doesn’t leak. It is dishwasher safe and BPA-free.
Other Good Sippy Cups
Pura Kiki Stainless Steel Insulated Sippy Cup
This insulated sippy cup is good at keeping drinks cold. It also transitions as your child does. It can be used as a snack container, straw bottle, or sports bottle (when you purchase those components separately).
The container is made of stainless steel and the spout and sleeve around the container are made of silicone. It is BPA-free and lead-free as well as dishwasher safe.
This cup is very durable. The only downside is it’s too heavy for infants. It is better suited as a sippy cup for toddlers.
Gerber Graduates Fun Grips Hard Spout Sippy Cup
This sippy cup is great for active toddlers who like to throw things! Gerber has made this option very durable. Additionally, it is easy to clean and made of BPA-free plastic. It comes in a variety of fun colors.
The hard spout means kids can chew on it without worry of breaking off a chunk. The valve can be removed for cleaning, and replacement valves are available for purchase separately. Gerber Graduates Fun Grips don’t leak or spill. If you have been around a toddler, you know that is a big deal!
I like that this cup is a great size for toddlers to hold. It doesn’t have handles, but that doesn’t matter at this stage. Another great thing about this option is that it comes in a 2-pack or a 4-pack!
Munchkin Any Angle Straw Cup
If ten bucks for one sippy cup feels a little out of reach, try the Munchkin Any Angle Straw Cup set of 2. It’s more affordable than the OXO, while still having a similar design. The cap slides over the straw to lock and seal, and the weighted straw allows a child to drink from any angle. A soft straw makes it easy for young mouths to use.
Coming in a 2 pack, this set comes in either a blue/green combo or a pink/orange combo. These cups are dishwasher safe and BPA-free.
The First Years Take & Toss Spill-Proof Cups
Once your baby is old enough to carry them around, sippy cups start disappearing. If you’re tired of replacing $5-$10 sippy cups every other week, you might consider switching to these Take & Toss Spill-Proof Cups.
They are not sturdily made because they are almost disposable, but you won’t be sad if it gets left under the slide at the park. The cups do leak a bit when turned upside down or shaken, but they’ll keep your 2-year-old from dumping water down his front, so it’s still a win.
They can be put in the dishwasher, and because there is no valve piece, they are easy to rinse out and clean. So if you need a cup that can go to the park, the library, daycare, or grandma’s house, the Take & Toss Cup has you covered.
FAQs
Is a sippy cup better than a bottle for babies?
There are several reasons why it is crucial for babies to transition from a bottle to a sippy cup. Experts have found that sugar stays on the teeth longer when sucking compared to drinking, which suggests that bottles may lead to cavities. Additionally, the act of sucking a bottle for a prolonged time can produce crooked teeth or an overbite.
How old should a baby be to use a cup?
As long as a baby can sit independently in a high chair and exhibits some control of their hands, they are ready to be introduced to a sippy cup. This is generally when they are around 6-9 months old. By the time they are about 12 months old they should exclusively use a sippy cup.
What sippy cups don’t leak?
No one wants a sippy cup that spills liquid all over furniture, floors, or clothes. However, it can be difficult to determine which products actually work since all claim to be leak-free. Check out this list of our favorite sippy cups to save yourself the work of testing them all out.
