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If you’ve ever imagined how it feels to be a duck, you’ll enjoy helping your child learn to use a cup for the first time- There’s plenty of water involved, usually all over you, all over them, and all over the floor! It doesn’t have to be a stressful time, full of constant clean up though as there are some great products on the market to help you on this journey.
We have put together a list of top picks to help you choose which training cup could work best for you and your little one. Our favourite is the OXO TOT Transitions Soft Spout Training Cup Set, keep reading to find out why we love it!
Best Sippy Cup Australia
Best Overall – OXO TOT Transitions Soft Spout Training Cup Set
Change can be a challenge in any circumstance but when it comes to helping your baby move on from either breastfeeding or from bottles with teats, the change shouldn’t be a daunting one. It should be as easy as possible for both you and your little one and when it comes to searching the market for what’s out there to help, OXO Tot’s Transitions Soft Spout Training Cup Set set gets our vote.
Firstly, it has a soft almond-shaped spout which is designed to conform to your baby’s palate, making the transition from bottle or breast a comfortable one for your baby. This spout also has a natural flow rate, making it much like a bottle teat and helping to ease that transition by not overwhelming your little one when the water starts to flow.
Another benefit of this cup is the easy-open cap. Not only is it easily removed for cleaning, this cap is great because it keeps your belongings protected when you are out and about with the cup. Is there anything worse than opening your changing bag, finding your baby’s cup has leaked and all the spare outfits you packed for changing emergencies are now soaked? I think not.
As your little one grows, this cup adapts to their changes too. It comes with an inter-changeable lid, meaning that you can easily move from the soft spout to the open trainer cup lid. This lid starts out with a clear training disk helping your toddler to learn how far to tip the cup as they can see the water whilst they drink, yet only allowing small amounts to come through, saving any little accidents. As your child becomes more confident, it then becomes a simple case of removing this disk to let them have total control.
Best for Longevity – B.box Transition Starters 5-Piece Pack
When it comes to this starter pack, what doesn’t it have? The manufacturers have given you a product with enough options to support even the fussiest of little people! B.box Transition Starters sippy cups can be easily converted at each stage of your child’s weaning journey and comes with everything you need to help them along. The bottle base is universal and has soft handles for smaller fingers, but these can be removed and the body shape of the bottle allows for easy gripping as their hands get a bit bigger.
Available in a range of colours this pack starts out with a fast flow teat, this is especially useful if your child has been bottle-fed as it doesn’t feel like a lot of change all at once for them. It also comes with a lid to prevent any unwanted drips or spills in transit so you know it’s a safe option to take out and about with you daily.
The second stage allows you to switch to a spout lid (again with a flip-top cap for keeping unwanted leaks at bay!) The spout lid is made of soft silicone making it easy on your little one’s gums. This is particularly great as most weaning journeys happen whilst your child is still teething and anything that can help your child, whilst soothing their sore gums at the same time, is a bonus!
The sippy straw with the flip back lid is the next top in this set that you can advance your child to. Some children don’t enjoy drinking from straws or find it a struggle as their instinct is to tip the bottle as they drink.
BBox has designed this particular sippy cup to have a weighted straw bottom that follows the water. This means your little one won’t get frustrated thinking there is no water, as they can drink from almost any angle.
The final stage of this training cup is the training lid, which has a rounded top designed to help them get ready for drinking from standard glasses or mugs. It still benefits from that silicone edge meaning your little one keeps that soft sensation for their gums whilst helping them determine how far to tip the cup as they can see the water flowing before they drink it.
Not only does it come packed with a whole range of features to help your baby from start to finish, but it is also easily cleaned and dishwasher safe. The parts are removable for cleaning and replacements are available (such as the weighted straws) if any get damaged or lost, meaning you won’t have to replace the entire set!
Best Budget Option – The First Years Take and Toss 2-Handled Trainer Cup
This is a great choice if you’re looking for a wallet-friendly option to start you and your baby on the weaning journey. The First Years Take and Toss 2-Handled Trainer Cups are super easy to use, designed with detachable handles and have easy free flow spout. It snaps together in an easy motion and is secure enough that it won’t come apart if your little one carries it around with them. The handles can be removed if your little one finds it easier to grip and sip and taking them away doesn’t affect the security of the lid giving you extra peace of mind.
Reviewers love how easy these cups are to clean as there are no hidden crevices, or valves to take apart and clean separately. They can be used in the dishwasher, so even though they are marketed as being disposable, they are durable enough that you can do your bit for the environment and use them over and over again.
If you do find they have any damage, have had excessive wear, or more likely if the thought of cleaning out day-old milk doesn’t make you jump with joy, they can simply be thrown away and it isn’t going to break the bank to buy another pack.
The downside to this cup is that it isn’t spill-proof. This just means keeping an extra eye on your little one to make sure they don’t drop, knock or throw it or you’ll be cleaning up the odd leak or spill! The little handles are great for smaller hands and the cup itself only holds around 7oz meaning it won’t be too heavy for your baby, these factors all help towards preventing drops and spills but hey, accidents do happen don’t they?!
Best Training Cups for Toddlers – Munchkin Miracle 360 Sippy Cup
If you’re a little later starting your weaning journey, or if your toddler has simply outgrown the cup they have already been using, then the Munchkin Miracle 360 Sippy Cup could be just the thing for you! It is designed for use from 18 months onwards but each child develops at a different rate and you’ll know when your little one is ready to move on to a cup-like this.
It has a silicone grip with a ridged heart design making it easy to hold on to for even the smallest of children’s hands. It comes apart easily and has minimal pieces, making cleaning a simple task. It is even dishwasher safe if you don’t feel like putting in the elbow grease and washing by hand!
This particular cup was designed with both parents and toddlers in mind. For parents, it really is a mess-free miracle! The silicone top automatically seals when your little one isn’t actively drinking, stopping virtually all spills. The spoutless design is also recommended by dentists as being better for children’s teeth and the soft silicone is easy on their gums!
Best Open Top Training Cup – Tommee Tippee No-Knock Cup
Accidents happen and unfortunately even as you begin to trust your little one to manage an open-top cup, knocks, and bumps are inevitable. This Tommee Tippee N0-Knock Cup aims to help toddlers who are confident in their drinking skills, to minimize those little accidents and spillages.
Another product that is recommended by dentists, the open-top cup encourages sipping rather than sucking from a straw, which over a long period of time can cause the beginnings of tooth problems. It also encourages your little one to use the muscles in their mouth that help with speech development.
The biggest selling point of this cup, however, is its “no knock” description. It has a clevergrip base which, when placed on a smooth flat surface grips instantly making it very difficult to knock over, saving you time following your child around, mop poised to clean up another spill. This base however doesn’t hinder your child from drinking. The clever part of this clevergrip base is that even though it grips to the surface and is difficult to spill, it is easy to simply lift up and begin drinking again.
Things to Consider When Buying a Training Cup for Your Child
So, I think it’s fair to say that when you shop for your little one, there are so many things to think about. As they get older this only becomes more noticeable because not only are you looking for something practical that will do the things you need it to do; you are looking for a product that your child will actually like and want to use. If your child doesn’t like what you pick, you can find yourself feeling like you’re fighting a losing battle in getting them to use it.
Is it suitable for my child’s stage?
It makes absolutely no sense to purchase a product that your child isn’t going to get much use out of, or any at all. Apart from being a waste of time, it’s also a waste of money. This is why you should choose a product with your baby’s development in mind. Don’t focus too much on whether the reviews say it is good for this age or that, look at your child’s own development, and think, is this going to be the best “next step” for them? Every child develops differently and if your little one isn’t ready for an open-top cup when other children his age are already using them, then don’t pick a cup that is only going to cause frustration and upset. Choose a product that is going to support your child through their development, as this will make life easier and more enjoyable for you both!
What material is it made of?
Choosing a safe material is always a priority and you should also be thinking about what material is going to best suit your baby. The majority of training cups are made of plastic with silicone spouts, or straws and such. However, there are some on the market that might catch your eye for their use of different materials such as Sip & Straw Cups made of glass specially designed with nonslip, shock-absorbing base to prevent breakages. Now I don’t know every parent’s feelings towards this, but personally, I try to keep glass out of my children’s hands where possible. Another is learning cups which are made entirely of silicone – it is soft on your child’s palate while encouraging all the positive attributes of the open-top cup such as muscle development and so on. It is durable, unbreakable, and easily cleaned, making it a great option when choosing an alternative to plastic.
Will my child like it and use it?
Probably the most important consideration because as I have already said, if your child doesn’t like it or won’t use it, there’s really no point in buying it is there? Most products out there are aesthetically pleasing to children as the majority are designed in bright colours to catch their attention. You can find character products out there too if you think that will encourage them to give it a try. Products that feature Peppa Pig or Mickey Mouse are usually really popular such as it’s bright colours catch the eye and if your little one is a Mickey fan they won’t want to let this cup out of their sight!
Is it good for travelling out and about?
Some products aren’t necessarily designed to simply be thrown into your changing bag when you’re on the move but for most parents, that’s exactly what you need! Picking a cup with a lid or a flip-top are great choices for preventing leaks and spills in your bag. We also like this sippy cup from B.box as its straw is hidden within the flip-top preventing unwanted leaks, but manageable enough that your little one can open it easily.
If your children are anything like mine then a durable body choice is a good idea too. As my children only seem to have two speeds, sleep or 100 miles an hour – when they are awake, things are often dropped, knocked over, or thrown about in excitement. A sturdy body makes for less damage and means we can use them longer. This stainless steel sippy cup is a prime example. It’s durable and has a sturdy body with added benefits. The thermos style helps keep drinks cool for longer and it’s light and compact making it great for travelling out and about.
Final Thoughts
I am an advocate for choosing a product that fits in with your lifestyle and remembering your needs as a parent. If you plan to be outside a lot, if you travel, if you need to be as hands-free as possible, it needs to be fit for purpose.
There are plenty of important factors to consider but just remember that although it needs to fit in with how you plan to use it, a training cup needs to appeal to your little one first of all!
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