When your baby reaches the age of 8-12 months, the time has come for you to introduce a sippy cup. A regular cup is not safe for babies under this age due to choking hazards and other issues. However, there are many different types of sippy cups, each with their own features and benefits. In this article we will discuss what makes a good training cup, which features you should look out for and when you should start using them.
Cup types
When it comes to choosing a cup, there are a few different types of material that you might consider. Each has its own pros and cons, so let’s take a look at the different options:
- Glass cups are lightweight and easy to clean. They’re also extremely durable and won’t break if accidentally dropped on the ground (a common hazard for busy parents). However, glass can shatter if it’s dropped onto hard surfaces like tile or concrete, meaning that you should be very careful in handling these cups around children who may not understand how fragile they really are.
- Plastic cups are another popular choice among parents because they’re cheap and readily available in most stores as well as online retailers like Amazon Prime Pantry. They’re also reusable which makes them more eco-friendly than disposable paper cups which tend to create more waste due their flimsy nature when compared against plastic alternatives such as the Solo Cup Company’s iconic red Solo cup brand (notable because of its long history within pop culture). However, some parents complain that plastic is potentially harmful when heated up too much since this will cause leaching into your drink! That said though — if care is taken then there shouldn’t be any issues here though so long as you keep track on how long things have been sitting out there before drinking them.”
When to start using training cups
There are several considerations to keep in mind when deciding when to start using training cups. The first is the age of your baby, which you should check based on their development and readiness. Most parents start their children out with sippy cups at around 6 months old, but if your child is a bit older or younger, that’s okay too! The next thing to consider is how strong your baby is—can they sit up unassisted? Can they hold something like a cup with both hands? If not, wait until they’ve developed the strength and coordination needed to do so. Once this happens then it’s time for sippy cups!
Cup features to look for
- Spill-proof. Some cups are designed to prevent spills while your baby is learning how to use the cup, but others can’t be tipped over even if you try.
- Easy to clean. This is an especially important feature if you plan on using the same cup for many years. A simple design that doesn’t have too many parts will make cleaning easier in the long run.
- No parts to lose! If you have a toddler who loves throwing things out of their highchair or stroller, make sure that there aren’t any pieces that could get lost and cause injury (or at least lots of tears).
- BPA free plastic is best for health reasons; stainless steel cups are great because they won’t break when dropped on the floor (and they don’t need constant washing).
Consider these features when choosing the right sippy cup for your child.
When choosing the right sippy cup for your child, there are several features to consider.
- Look for a cup with a soft spout. The spout must be soft and flexible enough that it’s comfortable on your baby’s mouth but sturdy enough not to collapse when the cup is being squeezed or dropped.
- Choose a cup with a straw. Some cups have both soft spouts and straws, which can make them easier for your little one to use. If you’re unsure about which option is best for your child, ask his doctor or talk with other parents who have experienced similar issues in deciding how best to transition their child from bottles or breast milk into other sources of nutrition like solid foods and drinking water without spills or messes.* Consider features that make cups easy to clean and hold (such as handles) when shopping around so you can find something most suitable for daily use.*
Conclusion
We hope this guide has helped you understand the wide variety of sippy cups on the market, and that it’s given you some ideas for which ones might be right for your child. If you still have questions, ask your pediatrician or local baby store employees for advice!