As your baby moves on from formula or breastmilk to water and solid foods, they’re going to need a beaker that’ll help them learn to drink independently. This is where sippy cups come in and help your tot take charge. They’re especially helpful when you travel out of town with your baby, as it’s easier to feed them that way. What’s more, the best baby sippy cups for breastfed babies and otherwise help make the transition from breast to bottle easier. If that wasn’t enough, their little handles, gentle spouts, and spill-proof tops also result in a less messy journey, whether you’re going by road or air. Right from around the time they’re six months old, sippy cups allow your baby to learn how to actually drink rather than suckle.
The best part is that they come in all sizes and shapes, and help develop your baby’s habits and development too. While your baby’s age and habits are major aspects for choosing, you also need to see what kind of cups your tot likes best. For instance, you might want one that’s free-flow at home and leakproof for travel. Since there are so many choices in the market, we’ve even come up with a handy buying guide for you. To that end, here are the 13 best baby sippy cups for both breastfed babies and others too.
How To Choose The Best Baby Sippy Cups for Travel?
Any accessory that you’re buying for a baby needs careful consideration, whether it’s sippy cups, or the Best Travel Potties, or the Best Portable Bassinets For The Baby. So, what all do you need to consider for baby sippy cups? Read on.
Meanwhile, you might also want to check out other useful travel accessories for your babies, such as the Best Baby Earphones for Flying and the Best Baby Carriers for Hiking.
Types of sippy cups for babies
- Straw sippy cup: These cups with straws attached to the spouts, which help your baby help finish all the liquid. The only issue can be that sucking liquid out of a straw is a novel concept for your baby.
- Spout sippy cup: Spout cups shaped like nipples are easier to get your tot to begin drinking from it. They’re of two kinds, soft and hard spouts.
- 360-degree/rimless sippy cup: Closest to the regular cup, this one features lids with small openings atop the cup that stops leakage when your tot drinks from it. It usually features handles on both sides to make it easier for your baby to hold.
Ease of use
One of the most important aspects of getting your tot used to the cup is the ease of use. Getting babies used to a cup is all about giving them independence, so they have to be able to learn to pick it up themselves. So, look for cups that have handles, especially if they’re very young. Or, look for shapes that they’ll be able to grasp easily as they grow up. Finally, you want your baby to use the cup too, so go for a design that’ll appeal to them.
Leak-free
It’s very important that the cup is leak-free, especially if it’s to be used during mealtimes and you want to place it on your baby’s highchair. Also, you need to check that it’s not so tall that they’ll have trouble getting to drink from it in the first place. Since you’re looking for the best sippy cups for breastfed baby too, and that too for travel, then go for a spill-proof or leakproof design with a lid that covers the spout. Finally, you might want to see whether it fits anywhere on the Best Baby Push Walkers too, especially if your baby continually sips from it.
Other important features
No matter the kind of cup you look for, ensure that they’re all BPA-free, especially if they’re plastic. Also, look for durability and robustness, especially if your tot is likely to hurl the cups to the floor.
When should a child start using a sippy cup?
According to healthcare professionals and experts, you should be starting your baby on a sippy cup when they’re six months old. Also, it’s the time when you begin to wean them. Also, it’s okay to be doing it before that age too, especially for those mums who have trouble breastfeeding. Whenever you start, remember that formula or breastmilk should be your baby’s main drink and the main source of nutrients up to when they’re one year old. If your baby is using bottles, then move them to a cup by the time they’re a year old. That’s because not only do bottles contribute to tooth decay, but also it’s harder to wean them off bottles as the babies get older.
Pena 360 Degree Trainer Cup
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One of the best baby sippy cups for bedtime is the Pena 360 Degree Trainer Cup. This clever product automatically seals when your tot stops drinking. The well-designed cup features a 360-degree drinking edge that allows tots to sip from any side of the cup. What’s more, it’s 360-degree spillproof and leakproof as well and comes in four vibrant colors – blue, pink, green, and orange. Made from PP and silicone, this material is safe and isn’t harmful to babies. This one even comes with easy-to-grab handles that are perfect for children up to four months. Weighing just 0.02 lbs, your baby can hold it easily as well. The cup is easy to clean and maintain due to the absence of extra parts or valves. Comfortable, smooth, and spillproof, this is one baby sipping cup that your young tots will fall in love with.
Pros:
- 360-degree drinking – no need for a spout or straw.
- BPA-free silicone build.
- The cup automatically seals when the baby stops drinking.
Cons:
- Could be difficult to use in low-light or darker conditions at night.
NUK First Choice Learner Bottle
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The best sippy cup for breastfed baby is the NUK First Choice Learner Bottle. Thanks to its soft, free-flowing spout, this cup mimics the feel and shape of a breast, thus teaching them to sip properly during the transition. Usually, breastfed babies struggle with valved spouts since it’s a very mouth motion as compared to breastfeeding. That’s why this free-flow option suits them brilliantly. You’ll especially love the upside-down trainer handles with non-slip grips, making it really easy for tots to grab hold of. Plus, the spout has NUK’s anti-colic air system preventing babies from gulping air as they drink. Add to that the no-spill design, and it reduces the amount of water that’ll end up on the floor. Finally, a plastic lid covers the spout, keeping it clean while you travel. This cup is best suited for 6-18 month babies.
Pros:
- Replacement spouts are easily available.
- Can be sterilized.
- BPA-free.
- Soft silicone spout.
Cons:
- Not spillproof entirely.
- Not dishwasher-safe.
Anyway Up Cup
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With its three colors and bold design, the Anyway Up Cup is one of the best baby sippy cups and is one stylish addition to your tot’s high chair. The best of all? It won’t leave water puddles all over your kitchen floor! Your baby can shake around the spillproof sippy cup as much as they want, and it won’t spill a drop. Rather than a sip-free flow, this one comes with a spout, but you have to choose your battles. The cup also features sturdy and easy-to-grip handles, and can withstand everything including being thrown at the floor and wall! Suitable for babies who’re older than 6 months, this Anyway up Cup holds a generous 250 ml. Finally, there’s even a larger 300 ml version with no handles for slightly older babies. Made from BPA-free materials, this iconic sippy cup is a hit with parents and kids!
Pros:
- Dishwasher-safe.
- Microwave-safe.
- BPA-free.
- Leakproof
Cons:
- Isn’t a free-flow cup.
Playtex Sipsters Sippy Cup
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Available in a huge range of designs and colors, the Playtex Sipsters Sippy Cup is an excellent best sippy cup for breastfed baby. Playtex is one of the best brands in the world for baby accessories, and they make cups for kids of almost every age. They’re particularly famous for their no-leak design, including the Playtex Sipsters Sippy Cup. This one is also break-proof, which is a boon if you have a baby who loves throwing things around at walls and floors. However, what this Playtex cup is particularly well-loved for is the fact that it’s insulated with a double wall for keeping milk warm at bedtime and drinks cool on summer picnic days. The 250 ml versions are perfect for babies aged one year, but there are four options in total, starting from cups for four-month-olds with a soft spout and handles for easy transitioning.
Pros:
- BPA-free.
- Dual wall for insulation.
- Breakproof, spillproof, and leakproof.
- Range of different styles for different stages.
Cons:
- Slightly difficult to clean.
Bickiepegs Doidy Cup
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If your baby has graduated to open cups, then the Bickiepegs Doidy Cup is one of the best baby sippy cups out there. They’re not exactly hip to look at, but this design has worked perfectly since the 1950s! For those who don’t know, Doidy is a slanted cup that’s easier for tiny tots to sip from. Healthcare professionals and pediatricians love it because of the independence it brings about in babies. Plus, the fact that it’s the open cup also helps tots develop hand-eye coordination. Thanks to the easy-to-grasp handles, your baby won’t need to tip the cup too far on their lips to enjoy a sip. The best part is that it can be used by babies as young as three months old, but we doubt any three-month-old can drink from this sans assist. However, it’s available in an array of colors that babies will enjoy.
Pros:
- BPA-free.
- Microwave and dishwasher-safe.
- Great for developing independence.
- Open-style cup.
Cons:
- It needs to be grabbed the right way round to drink.
- Could spill a lot.
Tommee Tippee Essential Free-Flow First Cup
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An excellent budget sippy cup for breastfed baby is the Tommee Tippee Essential Free-Flow First Cup. This classic cup is a favorite with parents, and it’s a well-priced option too, costing less than $10! Available in a multitude of colors including the pleasing blue below, the well-designed free-flow cup holds a good 190 ml of liquid within it. What’s more, it has easy-to-grab handles, which is a good feature for babies to hold the cup themselves and start drinking on their own. If that wasn’t enough, the spout flips down when it’s not in use, thus minimizing the mess. The cherry on top is that the cup has graduations on the side that show how much your baby has drunk. Since it can be used for tots as young as four months old, it’s a great sippy cup for your tot to get a headstart on independence.
Pros:
- Great travel accessory.
- Encourages sipping as opposed to sucking.
- BPA-free.
- Sterilizer, microwave, and dishwasher-safe.
- Free-flow.
Cons:
- Not spillproof.
Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup
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The Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup is amongst the best baby sippy cups and extremely popular with both parents and tots. Pretty much the spillproof cup, this one comes with a 360-degree drinking edge that allows your baby to sip from any side. So, not only does it eliminate the need for a straw, but also it helps with muscle development. It seals up automatically the minute they stop drinking too! Despite not being free-flowing, it does teach babies to sip from the cup’s edge rather than chomp on the spout. So, no liquid will swill around their teeth. Since it has no parts, the cup is easy to clean and maintain too. Not only does it come in many designs, but also in different volumes too. So, you’ll find a 170 ml one, and a 290 ml and 400 ml one, all with and without handles.
Pros:
- 100% recycled materials and packaging.
- BPA-free.
- Dishwasher-safe.
- Prevents spillage.
- Makes transitioning to open cups easier.
Cons:
- Not free-flow.
- The rim needs to be cleaned regularly.
Mama Bear Weighted Straw Sippy Cup
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One of the best straw sippy cup options for a breastfed baby is the Mama Bear Weighted Straw Sippy Cup. This cute sippy cup has a clever weighted straw design that follows the liquid instead of the other way around. This basically means that your kid won’t have to hold the cup continually upright when they’ve finished drinking. In fact, they can even tip it upside down. There’s a lot to like about this cup, especially the side measure that allows you to see how much your tot has drunk of the total 220 ml. The cup even comes with a leakproof flip-top lid so that the liquid doesn’t soil the inside of your bag. While it’s dishwasher-safe, it’s better if you handwash it since it comes apart very easily for cleaning and maintenance. The straw might be a little tricky to wash, but a straw brush solves the problem.
Pros:
- Comes in a set of two.
- The base is microwave-safe.
- BPA-free.
- Weighted straw design.
Cons:
- The straw is slightly difficult to clean.
Munchkin Latch Transition Cup
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Amongst the best baby sippy cups on this list is the Munchkin Latch Transition Cup. It’s perfect for those babies who insist on holding their bottles on their own. Making the transition to a cup less frustrating is this nifty sippy cup, which comes with a super-pliant spout that allows your baby to latch while drinking. Moreover, the cleverly designed anti-colic valve eliminates any air bubbles that could possibly lead to crankiness. Plus, the easy-to-grip handles are also removable, allowing the cup to grow and change with your baby. If that wasn’t enough, the Latch bottle and the Latch transition cup have interchangeable tops. This contraption allows you to easily transition to the cup’s sippy-style spout when your tiny tot is up for it. The best part? A single sippy cup costs less than $10 and it even comes in a pack of two!
Pros:
- Dishwasher-safe.
- Removable handles.
- BPA-free.
Cons:
- Some parents complain that the babies end up chewing the spout because they like it too much.
Klean Kanteen Kid Classic Sippy
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Are you a fan of eco-friendly products and want a similar best sippy cup for your breastfed baby? Then reduce your plastics with the Klean Kanteen Kid Classic Sippy. The stainless-steel sippy comes with a sippy cap and dust cover, while the bottle itself is scratchproof, dentproof, and can hold a whopping 355 ml. So, it’ll survive everything from being thrown to the ground to being jostled around in your travel bag. What’s more, the Sippy is even compatible with Klean Kanteen’s loop, sports, and bamboo mouthpieces too. It’s best for babies who’re at least six months old, and even if your kid doesn’t have a handle on it quite yet, they’ll easily grow into it. It might be expensive, but it comes in a range of amazing designs and colors, and could be the only sippy cup you ever buy for your tot!
Pros:
- Can be attached to a backpack or a lightweight buggy.
- Made from durable stainless steel.
- Eco-friendly.
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive.
- Harder to hold than some sippy cups.
Thermos Foogo Stainless Steel Hard Spout Sippy Cup
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One of the best baby sippy cups is the Thermos Foogo Stainless Steel Hard Spout Sippy Cup. You might just like this amazing stainless-steel cup so much that you might never go back to a plastic one! There are a lot of things to like about this cup, starting with the fact that it’s odor-free and doesn’t stink up. What’s more, this sippy cup is vacuum-insulated and keeps liquids cold for up to as much as 12 hours. Despite being slightly heavier than other cups, this one is designed and contoured so that it’ll fit easily into your baby’s small hands. It even has a non-slip base which makes it harder for your tiny tot to swipe it off the table. Plus, the hard spout even resists wear and tear. Finally, the stainless steel build inhibits the growth of bacteria, thus making it easier for you to clean and maintain.
Pros:
- Dishwasher-safe.
- BPA-free
- Odor-free.
Cons:
- The spout and lid are plastic, so they cannot be used for hot liquids.
MAM Trainer Cup
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One of the best sippy cup for breastfed baby is the MAM Trainer Cup. It’s a great transition cup and a real blessing for absolute cup newbies, especially if your baby isn’t exactly a fan of the cup shindig. They can instead begin using this trainer cup as a bay bottle thanks to the teat attachment, and thus get used to handling the cup themselves. Eventually, the teat can be swapped for a soft silicone spout, helping them with the transition. Holding 220 ml of liquid, the cup also comes with easy-grip handles that help your baby hold it tightly as well as aid their development. What’s more, markings on the cup as well as the dust cap let you know how much your tot has drunk. Usable by babies as young as four months old, the MAM Trainer Cup is easy to take apart and wash as well.
Pros:
- Cust cap helps keep it clean.
- BPA-free.
- Wide lid for easy cleaning.
- Free-flow spout.
- Easy transition.
Cons:
- The teat might slow the baby’s transition to a proper sippy cup.
Munchkin Any Angle Click Lock Weighted Straw Cup
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Sitting atop the list of best baby sippy cups is the Munchkin Any Angle Click Lock Weighted Straw Cup. If your tot has turned your life topsy turvy by refusing sippy cups left right and center, then this is the cup for you. There’s a lot to like about this cup, starting from the fact that it comes with a weighted straw, complete with a one-way valve. The contraption lets your baby drink from any angle, even upside down! At the same time, the locked top keeps the liquid from spilling out no matter how the cup is held. Finally, a flip-top design covers the straw, thus keeping it clean when it’s not being used. Above all, this nifty 200 ml model even has handles that help your child keep a good grip on their cup, while contentedly sipping on a beverage of their choice.
Pros:
- Click-lock lid.
- Weighted straw.
- Good handles for a good grip.
- BPA-free.
Cons:
- None.
