Transition from bottle & breast feeding to the sippy cup!

The transition from bottle & breastfeeding to sippy cups is a big adjustment in any child’s life. Beginning to use a sippy cup is a sign of independence for a child, and is a crucial transitional stage. With all that considered, it’s no wonder that many parents are left wondering many things about this special time: “when should my child begin to use a sippy cup?” “What kind of sippy cup is best?” and other such questions are not uncommon during this time.

Every child is different; therefore many children will be ready to use a sippy cup at different stages in their lives. However, a general sign that your child is ready to begin the transition to a sippy cup is that they have started to self-feed themselves finger foods. This generally happens in the range of 7-10 months of age. It is generally suggested that children be introduced to a sippy cup by their first birthday in order to promote strong teeth and prevent tooth decay.

There are a whole lot of sippy cups out there, and it can be difficult to know where to begin with so many choices and varieties. Many experts suggest that a big part of adjusting to a sippy cup is finding the right sippy cup for your child. You may have to shop around before you find the one that your child takes to. Here at balafant, we hope to make the decision a little easier and give you a place to start on your sippy cup journey! These are just a few of the seemingly endless possibilities of the sippy cup world, but we love them and we hope you will too.

mOmma Roly-Poly Cup With Straw
This wibbly-wobbly sippy cup is unique! The rocking motion of the sippy cup not only entertains your child during mealtime, it also promotes stimulation in the self-feeding process and prevents those “oopsie-daisie” tip-over moments. The round shape is also very ergonomic for your child and makes the cup easy for little hands to grasp. The “in/out” straw system will prevent leaking and makes this sippy cup the perfect one to take on the go. A simple twist of the lid will ensure that the 100% silicone straw is safely stored away in a dedicated inner compartment. This enclosed-lid design, combined with the “roly-poly” nature of the cup allows for it to be very hygienic through preventing the straw from coming into contact with any surfaces! The Roly-Poly Cup With Straw from mOmma is BPA free and suggested for children aged 6 months and up.

mOmma “Non-Spill Cup With Dual Handles”
When your child is ready for the next stage of their sippy cup journey, mOmma has you covered with the Non-Spill Cup. This cup is similar to the Roly-Poly Cup With Straw in its round, ergonomic design that makes it easy to grasp and prevents little ones from accidentally tipping the cup over. This cup uses a 100% silicone, non-spill spout rather than a straw to allow your child to drink. The pliable material will help ease the transition to sippy cups, and the closed design will prevent spills — fluid will only come out when your child is drinking from the cup! Two soft-grip handles make this cup even more accessible to your learning child as they become more independent in holding their sippy cup. This sippy cup is BPA free and suggested for children aged 6 months and up.

boon Modster
The Modster from boon is among the more basic of sippy cups — however, what it lacks in embedded features it makes up for in classic and adorable design! The Modster was designed with your kid in mind and will make using a sippy cup an exciting venture! The firm spout will offer your child something more substantial as they advance in learning to use a sippy cup. This cup still keeps pesky leaks and spills in mind- a silicone valve will prevent messes. However, if your child finds it difficult to get fluid through the valve and becomes discouraged, never fear! The valve is totally detachable to allow for free-flow drinking through the spout. Modster also comes equipped with dual handles that make it easier for tiny hands to hold, and a cap to cover the spout and protect it from coming into contact with any germs when its not in use, making it very travel friendly. This cup is also top-rack dishwasher safe. Simply take the cup apart and toss it in the dishwasher on the top-rack, and before you know it Modster is all freshened up and ready to be used again. This 10 ounce, firm spout model is intended for children aged 9 months and up, and is completely BPA, phthalate, and PVC free.

Zoli Bot (6 ounces) & Bot XL (9 ounces)
One of our favourite sippy cups here at balafant is the one straw sippy cup, Bot, from Zoli! This cup is special because it has a weighted straw, meaning that no matter which way your child tilts the cup, the straw will always move toward the liquid — letting your child enjoy their drink to the last drop. The straw is made from food-grade silicone, which will help with the transition from bottle and breastfeeding. The lid can easily open and close over top of the straw, which allows for the cup to be leak resistant without adding the possible complications of a valve that is too difficult for young children to navigate. The Bot is also made from durable, long-lasting, BPA and phthalate free materials — so if your child takes to it you may have it until long after their sippy cup days! The Bot is available in a variety of fun colours, and comes in two sizes, 6 ounces and 9 ounces. There are also replacement straws available, so there is no hassle to finding that awesome weighted straw should another be needed. The Bot is recommended for children aged 9 months and up.

OXO Tot Sippy Cup Set
The sippy cup set from OXO Tot is the versatile, adjustable cup that will grow with your child. With 4 possible stages, this cup can begin with your child as early as 6 months and lasts well past the 12-month stage. To begin with, the cup has a “slow flow” spout with a removable, leak-resistant valve to allow for easy sipping and cleaning, and two soft grip handles attached to the bottom of the cup so that children don’t have to turn their tiny wrists to an awkward angle in order to handle the cup on their own. When they get the hang of holding the cup, the handles can be removed — with soft grip pads on either side of the cup to ensure your child can still get a good grasp. When your child is ready, the “slow flow” spout top can be removed, and replaced with the sippy-cup training lid! The training lid comes with a transparent insert that has perforations around the edge that control the flow of liquid as the child tilts the cup. The transparent factor is helpful because it allows your child to see the liquid moving towards them as they tilt the cup, which will begin to teach them the concept of what is happening when they tilt the cup to drink from it! The training lid will also help to minimize messes as your child learns.

Finally, when your child feels ready to begin drinking from a real cup, the transparent training lid insert can be removed — leaving them with a basic cup they can drink from. The OXO Tot sippy cup set’s versatility is a major benefit- if your child becomes attached to the cup, it does not mean they have to experience the difficulty of leaving it behind, because it will grow with them!
Though it may take some time, and more than one sippy cup, the big move from bottle or breastfeeding to a sippy cup — and one day to a regular cup — is rewarding for parents and children alike. Children will learn a new skill and become independent in their ability to give themselves something to drink, which will make them feel more “grown up” and responsible — and will free up your time as well as allow you to see them take these momentous steps in their lives! We hope that these few suggestions will provide you with the information you need to make this adjustment with confidence.