- Are you wondering which sippy cup to choose for your baby?
- Are you still hesitating, wondering if this purchase is really worth it?
- A quick online search revealed there are actually quite a lot of models available, right?
Pretty soon, you felt overwhelmed and preferred to close your browser instead of continuing your research…
How we understand you... The endless choices make the task complicated. And spending hours comparing isn’t exactly your cup of tea… Is it? 😉
To find the ideal sippy cup, it's important to ask yourself the right questions.
But first, let’s remember what a sippy cup actually is and what its benefits are. Then let’s look at when and how to introduce it into your baby's daily routine… Finally, we'll focus on the criteria to keep in mind to choose yours well!
Let’s dive in!
CONTENTS:
- What is a sippy cup?
- Benefits of a sippy cup
- At what age can baby use a sippy cup?
- Should you take away the bottle as soon as the sippy cup is introduced?
- How to introduce the sippy cup into your baby's life?
- Which sippy cup is most suitable for your child?
- Key takeaways from this article
What is a sippy cup?
A sippy cup is a container that sits halfway between a baby bottle and a “big kid” cup. It’s a very practical childcare product for parents who want to help their baby become more independent.
A sippy cup is sometimes equipped with handles, though that’s not necessary for a good grip. The material and the shape of the cup actually play a very important role in how easy it is to handle.
Benefits of a sippy cup
Unlike a cup that tips over and spills, or a leaking bottle, a sippy cup lets your baby drink by themselves without help from their parents. This way, the sippy cup prevents your little one from ending up soaked in just a few seconds.
And every parent knows: changing baby is a demanding task that needs repeating often throughout the day, so there’s no need to make it even more frequent!
It allows your baby to serve themselves whenever they want, without having to wait for someone to hand them a drink… That’s one less frustration!
Leak-proof, the sippy system has plenty to love. To be fully satisfied, it’s best to opt for a model free of plastic materials.
The sippy cup, also sometimes called a learner bottle or training water bottle, is also key in the success of weaning from the bottle. Its spout system helps your baby gently move away from the nipple.
At what age can baby use a sippy cup?
You can find sippy cups suitable for babies as young as 6 months old. It really depends on your child and their development. Take time to observe your baby during meals. Do they ever ask for water or milk in a “big kid” cup?
If that’s the case, then your baby is ready to take this next step!
Note that a sippy cup can also be used as an extra cup to top off your baby’s fluids during the day.
At the very beginning, it's best to not fill the cup all the way so your baby drinks in small sips, which will prevent them from choking or “drinking the cup”—if you’ll allow the pun… 🥛
This will also make them tilt their head back further and help teach the right drinking motion.
Should you take away the bottle as soon as the sippy cup is introduced?
Taking away the bottle as soon as you introduce the sippy cup could be a harsh change for your baby.
It’s better to let them choose during the first few weeks. Since babies are naturally attracted to new things, they’ll ask for their sippy cup on their own. They’ll also want to imitate you. Explain that their new cup helps them become a big kid!
If you’re hoping to transition quickly away from the bottle, you can encourage your child and praise them each time they use the sippy cup instead of the bottle for drinking.
If your baby has a strong need for comfort for any reason, make sure they have access to their bottle during the first weeks, if that’s their habit, for reassurance. Afterwards, you can swap it out for a lovey to gently help them wean off the bottle.
How to introduce the sippy cup into your baby's life?
No need to make a big fuss... or should we say, “big cups”? As with any new object introduced into your child’s life, it’s important to normalize it—not put it on a pedestal. In this case, it’s best to hand your baby the sippy cup as if it were any other object. Start with no water inside, so they can focus on how it looks and feels instead of its purpose. Your baby will touch, smell, put it in their mouth, check out the cup you hand to them.
Once they’re familiar with it, you can fill it with about 20 milliliters (about 0.7 oz) and give it to them while seated.
Make sure your child’s head is unobstructed—not blocked by clothes or cushions. They need to be able to move away quickly if something goes down the wrong way. Don’t worry though, spouts are designed to deliver water in small amounts.
Which sippy cup is most suitable for your child?
It’s not necessary to try several sippy cup models to find the one right for your baby. Besides, that would be too expensive!
If your baby has been breastfed, it’s recommended to choose a cup model that’s similar in shape to the breast.
As there are only a few such models available in the baby market, you might want to take a look at our store! We offer sippy cup designs specially crafted to remind your baby of breastfeeding with mom.
All our models are made from medical grade silicone; the material is free from microplastics and thus safe for your baby’s health. Note that the spout is compatible with our innovative Bib’Ronds.
Our sippy cups are soft and can be squeezed by your child’s small hands. Don’t worry, this action won’t squirt water out of the container. 💦 But it will remind your baby of the gentle sensations experienced during breastfeeding sessions with their mom.
Key takeaways from this article
- A sippy cup allows your baby to drink independently without intervention from parents or family members.
- You can offer it to your baby starting from 6 months, depending on their interest.
- The main advantage of a sippy cup is that it doesn’t leak. This means you can take it anywhere with your baby without worrying about them getting splashed and needing a change…
- The sippy cup can also be offered alongside your child’s bottle during meals. This gives them an alternative and makes weaning gentler.
- Our medical-grade silicone models are designed to protect children’s health. With shapes close to the breast and a peach-skin texture, they’re simply irresistible through your child’s eyes!
