How to Transition Your Child From a Bottle to a Sippy Cup
Different Types of Sippy Cups
Flat top: Flat top sippy cups—aka 360 cups—are a great option for kids transitioning away from the bottle or breast. The innovative spoutless design allows your child to drink from any angle. The rim is sealed to prevent spills, but once your child raises the cup to their mouth liquid will begin to flow freely. Monin recommends using a 360 cup for the first 6 to 12 months.
Straw: This type of cup has a sealed rim to prevent spills and comes with a built-in straw for young toddlers to drink from. In most cases the straw is removable for easy cleaning. Monin is a big fan of straw cups, as they encourage oral muscle development that can help with advanced speech patterns. “They also promote sipping versus sucking, which is an important mature jaw movement pattern,” says Monin.
Open top: An open top sippy cup is essentially a regular cup, the only major difference is that it’s small enough for little hands to grasp. Some open top sippy cups also have suction bases and are made from child-friendly (read indestructible) materials like silicone. Alongside flat top and straw cups, this type is one of the best options to promote healthy oral development.
Hard spout: Cups with a hard spout are typically made from firm plastic, which toddlers won’t be able to chew through. Spout cups are sealed to prevent spills. However, as this type encourages a sucking motion to drink (rather than sipping), they’re not recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA).
Soft spout: This type of sippy cup has a soft spout—usually made from a flexible plastic material—which closely resembles a bottle teat. Soft spouts are gentle on teething gums but can prolong the weaning process since they mimic bottle feeding. According to Monin, soft and hard spout sippy cups encourage an immature tongue-thrust pattern, which allows liquid to pool around the teeth leading to an increased risk of cavities.
