Choosing the Correct Sippy Cup

You purchase a ‘sippy’ cup for your toddler, right? But wait, what is a  transition cup, toddler cup and the kid bottle? And how about all the styles and materials to choose from? Who knew the cup you chose for your child would be so difficult to decide on! Read below as we debunk the ‘sippy’ cup dilema.
 
Types of ‘Sippy’ Cups

The first thing you’ll want to figure out is: are you even using the correct cup? Here are some of the common names:

• Transition cup: This cup will get you from breast and bottle-feeding to your child’s first cup. It’ll often have two handles and a soft nipple that’s easy on your baby’s gums. This cup is best for kids aged between 4-12 months.
• Toddler cup:  In order to help your child work on dexterity, most won’t have handles. And in this cup, you’ll see all sorts of straws and spouts. The toddler cup is aimed at kids between 12 months and 3 years old.
• Kid Bottle: Once your kids reach the age of 3, they’ve likely had all their teeth come in and are most certainly on the move! They’re much bigger than toddler cups and will look more like your own water bottle – just kid-sized. The kid bottle is for children over 3.

Material

All sorts of obstacles exist with materials. With plastic, parents are often concerned about BPA.  Glass is great, but if you thought a spill was bad, how about a spill with shattered glass everywhere? Stainless steel? Great, but heavy.  Silicone looks like a good option as well, but the jury is still out on its safety. Essentially, you must decide for yourself after weighing all the pros and cons of each material.
 
Spout, Straw or Valve

The American Dental Association is not a fan of valves – mostly because they prolong the consumption of liquids via sucking method instead of sipping.  And, when it comes to straws or spouts, a straw is generally preferred because it helps keep liquid off the front teeth, which can lead to cavities over time.

Hazards

Each of these containers, with perhaps the exception of the soft-spouted cup, can also be hazardous should your child fall with one of them in their hand. In fact, every four hours a child somewhere lands in the emergency room because of a sippy cup injury. Ouch!
 
What are your thoughts?  If you have more questions, feel free to complete the form below.