The Great Sippy Cup Debate

Sippy cups have gotten a bad rap lately. There has been an array of articles posted recently regarding potential problems with tooth decay and difficulties with proper speech development with prolonged use of the beloved sippy. Yes, it’s convenient and easy for a child to use, and it’s hands free for parents. However, do the pros outweigh the potential cons? That’s for you to decide…

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a vendor I have chosen to work with. I have received either paid compensation and/or free product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own based only on my own experience.

If you do choose to forgo the sippy altogether here are my top three choices for great alternatives:

1. Doidy Cup

Weird name yes, but this cup is my favourite find when it comes to sippy alternatives! What is great about these cups is that the child can easily see the water coming and they don’t have to lean forward and down to check the contents of the cup. You barely have to tilt these things and their liquid reward is right on their lips! Also, it makes an ideal transition from breastfeeding as the natural mouth action is the same. It’s the perfect cup to teach your child to drink from an open rim. My 9 month old just loooves his doidy cups! He hasn’t quite been able to hold it on his own yet, but boy can he suck down his liquids in a flash!

Pros: easy to drink from, dishwasher safe, mimics breastfeeding, easiest open rim cup on the market, easy for child to put back down
Cons: doesn’t have a lid so when your child first is holding it by themselves be ready for some spill
Available: http://connectmommies.com/doidy-cup/where-to-buy/. Sold for $9.95ea

2. EIO Cups

This cup is for kids 18 months and older so this one is for the older kiddos. What I love about these cups is that they are so easy to clean and assemble. No valves or spouts, just an 8 oz canning jar, easy to grip sleeve and slanted lid to let the liquids easily slide down. Also the lid is tinted so it is also easy for your child to see the contents of the cup coming at them. The great thing about glass is that it’s so easy to sterilize if you boil it in water for a full 10 minutes as well as being dishwasher safe. Also, once you have the sleeve and caps you can buy a few more canning jars and it’s very economical. Though they can be a bit on the pricey side, I bought mine on a Canadian baby deal site for 3 for $18 so if you keep your eye open they can be very affordable.

Cons: it’s glass so possibly breakable, can be a bit pricey
Available: http://www.eiokidscup.com/retail-locations.htmlsold for $18.99 ea

3. Straw Sippy

Unfortunately, I have never personally used one of these so I don’t feel comfortable recommending one over the other. But if your heart is really set on a traditional sippy, this is a very good alternative as it’s probably the closest thing to. The sucking action required can be good for developing muscles in the mouth necessary for proper speech development. However, the problem with tooth decay is still present if your child is constantly sipping on anything other than water.

Pros: most like traditional sippy, has a lid, cost effective, better for speech development
Cons: not as sterile, can have lots of parts to assemble/clean, potential risk of tooth decay, can be difficult for child to learn to drink from.
Available: at any major retail store carrying baby supplies. Most available under $10.

Further reading on problems with sippy cups:
http://colerainfamilydentistry.com/problems-with-sippy-cups.html
http://voices.yahoo.com/three-potential-problems-if-child-uses-sippy-205991.html
http://children.webmd.com/news/20080212/so-long-sippy-cups-hello-straws

I would love to hear your thoughts on any of these products or others you have found that work well for your family!