There are so many milestones that babies will go thorough as they grow, with the transition from bottle to cup being one of them. To help children master this new skill, most parents turn to training cups, or "sippy" cups. With so many products available, choosing a design can be overwhelming!
Some things to consider when shopping for a cup*:
Look for a cup without a one-way valve: Sippy cups are often marketed as "spill-proof," meaning that the cup has a one-way valve to prevent leakage, however, in order for the child to get any liquid from the cup, they still need to suck, as opposed to sip. Keeping in mind that the objective of a training cup is to shift away from sucking, it is best to purchase a cup without this valve.
Cups with two handles and a weighted base will help your child keep the cup steady and upright while they master the motor skills needed to raise the cup and sip.
Now that you have your ideal cup, it's time to introduce it! A few things to think about during this exciting time:
Limit beverages that are not water to mealtimes only: Juices and other non-water beverages that are consumed on the go are more likely to cause cavities because they are not being consumed with food. With meals, your child is chewing and salivating, which helps wash away and neutralize acids that may otherwise remain on their teeth.
Kids are famous for not looking where they are going....for this reason, it is advised to be sure your child is seated when using their cup. Dental and facial injuries are all too common in toddlers who fall with a sippy cup in their mouths.
The training cups are meant to be a transitional tool: Introduce small, regular cups as they become more proficient so their tongue and other muscles used to drink and swallow become used to the pattern and positions needed to do so.
Enjoy this fun milestone - if you have any questions, please call (781) 942-2020, or by navigating to the Contact tab to send us a message.
*Please note that the cup in the image associated with this article is for demonstrative purposes only and is not a recommendation*