Is it about time that your child should use a sippy cup? Have you decided which sippy cup to purchase? With so many options in the market today, can you pick randomly?
One of the exciting transitions that every child will have is transitioning from a nursing bottle to a sippy cup – a suggestion that your child has now reached toddlerhood.
What is a sippy cup?
A sippy or a toddler cup is a training drinking cup for toddlers. It helps bridge the gap between a nursing bottle and an open cup once it is time to wean. Also, sippy cups are used to avoid spills and mess.
How do you choose the best sippy cup for your toddler?
While sippy cups are a good transition from bottle to open cup, not all toddlers’ cups have benefits; instead, some of these do more harm than good. One good example is acquiring oral motor development delay and problems with tooth alignment due to incorrectly designed spout.
So, before you randomly pick any sippy cups out there, you should consider the following tips on how to choose the right toddler milk cup:
#1: Choose good-to-grip handles
A sippy cup with good-to-grip handles is one of the essential elements of a good toddler’s cup. The cup must be designed with comfortable contoured handles, providing a more comfortable and easy grip.
#2: Choose a cup according to the child’s age
There are different types of sippy cups according to the child’s age and or ability to drink without spills.
- The transition cup is designed with a softer spout that is easy for a child’s soft gums. Also, most of the transition cups can hold up to 8-ounces of fluid. It is best for babies between 4 – 12 months old.
- The toddler cup is a bit larger than the transition cup, holding about 7 – 12 ounces of fluid. Ideally, these cups are best for 12 months old babies up to 3 years old toddlers.
There are two types of toddler sippy cups: one with a contoured body and one with easy-to-grip handles. If you think your child is old enough to practice one without a handle, you should start transitioning from a sippy cup with a handle to a sippy cup without one.
#3: Look for a sippy cup that is easy to drink from
If your child still has softer gums and teeth that are starting to grow, you should choose a sippy cup with a soft spout. Also, a soft-spout sippy can help your toddler master the art of drinking in a cup without the risk of choking.
#4: Choose a leak-proof sippy cup
Toddlers are quite active at this age; so, you should choose a leak-proof sippy cup. A leak-proof sippy cup is built as an easy-to-transport cup without spilling any fluids, no matter how it is carried or thrown by the toddler.
#5: BPA-free
Always choose things that are safe for your child to use. And a safe sippy cup is a BPA-free cup.