Cups for Babies: When to Introduce Them, Tips for Starting & Top Picks
July 2022
Last reviewed: October 2022
Author:
Erinn Jacobi, M.S. OTR/L
Coauthors:
Jennifer Anderson, MSPH, RDN
About Kids Eat in Color
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
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Author:
Erinn Jacobi, M.S. OTR/L
Coauthors:
Jennifer Anderson, MSPH, RDN
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Inside: Learn about the best cups for babies, when babies should be using cups, and get tips for introducing them.
Starting on solid foods is an exciting milestone for babies and parents. Along with learning about food and using utensils, babies can also learn how to use and drink from cups around this time.
Not sure how to teach your baby to drink from a cup? No problem. Here’s everything parents need to know about cup drinking.
In this article, our occupational therapist dives into the basics of baby cups and explains when babies can start using cups, what the best cups for babies are, and how to introduce them safely.
We don’t recommend the 360 baby cups from various brands.
These cups teach bite patterns that may make it difficult for your baby to learn how to manage and successfully use an open cup as they get older.
If you have a 360 cup at home, no problem. We recommend removing the lid of your child’s 360 cup to practice open cup drinking.
Open cups for babies
Open cups are a great first cup option for babies.
Unlike other types of cups, open cups require babies to use more mature mouth motor skills. This benefit makes them the best option to help babies develop oral motor function.
How to introduce open cups to babies
Fill the cup with 1-2 ounces of liquid (water, formula or breast milk).
Demonstrate the motion of taking (or pretending to take) a sip to your baby.
Place the cup in the middle of your baby’s body so they can easily reach it with both hands.
If your baby is showing interest (ex. reaching for the cup), you can provide a hand-over-hand guidance to take a sip.
Narrate for them what you are doing.
Continue to provide ample opportunity for your baby to practice using an open cup at meals.
Best open cups for babies
The ideal open cup for babies is a small one that they can hold in their hands. Here are some great options for your baby’s first open cup.
Any sippy cup you already have with the lid removed
Related: Make sure your child is seated in a high chair with footrest when practicing with cups and straws.
Straw cups for babies
Straw cups (or any sippy cup with a straw) are good cups for babies.
Straw cups can also be introduced to babies at 6 months. Although, don’t expect your baby to learn how to drink through a straw on the first try!
Why do we recommend straw cups for babies? Practicing using a straw helps a child work on lip seal, tongue retraction, cheek strength, correct jaw position, and suck-swallow-breathe coordination, among other benefits.
How to introduce a straw cup to your baby
Fill up the straw with water, breast milk or formula, sealing it with your finger, and release it into the child’s mouth for exposure.
If they are interested (ex. open their mouth for more), allow them to bring the straw to their mouth with your guidance.
Take turns watching each other and see how far you can get the liquid, as close to lips as possible! (Using a short straw for this helps tremendously!)
Related: Learn about vitamin D for babies, including how much they need and why it’s good for them.
What to look for in your baby’s straw cup
When shopping for a straw cup for your baby, find one that is:
Short
Soft
Connected (ideally) to a cup that is small enough for a baby to hold
Please note: Soft straws can be helpful, which is why we included them here, but not always necessary. Hard straw can still work. If you choose to use them, be sure to keep a watchful eye so that your baby doesn’t accidentally poke themselves in the eye.
Can I squeeze a straw cup to help my baby drink from it?
If your baby’s cup is squeezable, we don’t recommend squeezing it to help your baby drink the water more easily.
We want to help our children learn to do that on their own. We want them to learn how to manage the liquid in their cups without our help (including knowing when they’re squeezing their cup too hard!).
Tip for teaching babies to use cups: expect and embrace spills!
There will be a lot of spills when babies are practicing with and learning to use cups and straws. Starting small will help with both spills and safety.
Sometimes though, even if we only offer 1-2 ounces of water, babies still pour it right on their heads, and that’s ok!
Each time your baby uses a cup, they will gain more and more control and confidence using cups.
America Occupational Therapy Association. (2016) Specialized knowledge and skills in feeding, eating, and swallowing for occupational therapy practice. Bethesda, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association, INC.
Beckman, D. (2000). Oral motor assessment and intervention. Paper presented at the Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention conference, Charlotte, NC.
About Kids Eat in Color
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Erinn Jacobi is an occupational therapist with almost a decade of experience in a variety of settings within pediatrics. Erinn has significant experience in outpatient, inpatient, acute, rehabilitation settings, working with families struggling with feeding, sensory processing, and how picky-eating is influenced by children's sensory experiences within their personal, familial, and community environments. Erinn has worked with a wide array of individuals and communities around the North East and is passionate about helping all families at mealtimes!
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Inside: Learn about the best cups for babies, when babies should be using cups, and get tips for introducing them.
Starting on solid foods is an exciting milestone for babies and parents. Along with learning about food and using utensils, babies can also learn how to use and drink from cups around this time.
Not sure how to teach your baby to drink from a cup? No problem. Here’s everything parents need to know about cup drinking.
In this article, our occupational therapist dives into the basics of baby cups and explains when babies can start using cups, what the best cups for babies are, and how to introduce them safely.
Article contents:
When should babies should start using cups
The best cups for babies
What about “360 cups”?
How to introduce an open cup
Best open cups
Straw cups for babies
How to introduce a straw cups
Best straw cups
How to handle spills and messes
How to help a baby who refuses to use cups
When do babies start using cups?
Cups can be introduced to babies when they start solids. Most children start eating solid foods around 6 months old.
What are the best cups for babies?
There are two primary types of baby sippy cups that we recommend: open cups and sippy cups with straws.
Both open cups and straw cups help babies develop the important oral motor skills we want them to work on.
Related: Shopping for baby spoons and plates too? Read our picks for top baby utensils and best baby plates.
Are the 360 cups good for babies?
We don’t recommend the 360 baby cups from various brands.
These cups teach bite patterns that may make it difficult for your baby to learn how to manage and successfully use an open cup as they get older.
If you have a 360 cup at home, no problem. We recommend removing the lid of your child’s 360 cup to practice open cup drinking.
Open cups for babies
Open cups are a great first cup option for babies.
Unlike other types of cups, open cups require babies to use more mature mouth motor skills. This benefit makes them the best option to help babies develop oral motor function.
How to introduce open cups to babies
Continue to provide ample opportunity for your baby to practice using an open cup at meals.
Best open cups for babies
The ideal open cup for babies is a small one that they can hold in their hands. Here are some great options for your baby’s first open cup.
Related: Make sure your child is seated in a high chair with footrest when practicing with cups and straws.
Straw cups for babies
Straw cups (or any sippy cup with a straw) are good cups for babies.
Straw cups can also be introduced to babies at 6 months. Although, don’t expect your baby to learn how to drink through a straw on the first try!
Why do we recommend straw cups for babies? Practicing using a straw helps a child work on lip seal, tongue retraction, cheek strength, correct jaw position, and suck-swallow-breathe coordination, among other benefits.
How to introduce a straw cup to your baby
Related: Learn about vitamin D for babies, including how much they need and why it’s good for them.
What to look for in your baby’s straw cup
When shopping for a straw cup for your baby, find one that is:
Best straw cups for babies
Please note: Soft straws can be helpful, which is why we included them here, but not always necessary. Hard straw can still work. If you choose to use them, be sure to keep a watchful eye so that your baby doesn’t accidentally poke themselves in the eye.
Can I squeeze a straw cup to help my baby drink from it?
If your baby’s cup is squeezable, we don’t recommend squeezing it to help your baby drink the water more easily.
We want to help our children learn to do that on their own. We want them to learn how to manage the liquid in their cups without our help (including knowing when they’re squeezing their cup too hard!).
Tip for teaching babies to use cups: expect and embrace spills!
There will be a lot of spills when babies are practicing with and learning to use cups and straws. Starting small will help with both spills and safety.
Sometimes though, even if we only offer 1-2 ounces of water, babies still pour it right on their heads, and that’s ok!
Each time your baby uses a cup, they will gain more and more control and confidence using cups.
For more tips, see our blog about managing messy eaters and mealtime messes.
What if my baby refuses to drink from a sippy cup?
For some babies, drinking from a cup may take some time. Some will refuse (a LOT!). If this happens, we recommend giving it some time. Don’t give up!
Keep offering a cup of some liquid at the table for meals. As much constant exposure and practice as possible, the better. Babies need time to learn.
Related: Learn about the Division of Responsibility in feeding about how to implement it in your home.
Expert advice on feeding babies
Starting baby on solids? Learn more from our experts about nutrition, introducing solid foods, and feeding on a schedule.
References
America Occupational Therapy Association. (2016) Specialized knowledge and skills in feeding, eating, and swallowing for occupational therapy practice. Bethesda, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association, INC.
Arvedson, J. C. (2006). Swallowing and feeding in infants and young children. GI Motility online. Retrieved April 12, 2022, from http://www.nature.com/gimo/contents/pt1/full/gimo17.html
Beckman, D. (2000). Oral motor assessment and intervention. Paper presented at the Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention conference, Charlotte, NC.