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Sippy Cup or Straw Cup First? Do You Even Need a Sippy Cup? - Zezebaebae

Sippy Cup or Straw Cup First? Do You Even Need a Sippy Cup?

by Jeehoo Jeon in Tiny Tidbits

In This Article

  • Why sippy cups help babies build real “cup skills” (not just reduce spills)
  • Sippy vs straw: what to choose first, and why many families start with sippy
  • A quick shopping checklist for you

You buy a cup. Your baby rejects it. You buy another cup. Now you have a whole shelf of cups. 
|And the internet is yelling: “Skip the sippy!” “No, sippy first!”

Here’s the simple take: for most babies, a sippy cup is a great first step because it helps them actually practice cup drinking every day. And daily practice is what builds the skill. 

The developmental reasons sippy cups matter: they make “cup skills” achievable

Cup drinking is not one skill. It’s a few small skills put together.

What babies are learning:

  • Hold the cup steady
  • Bring it to the mouth
  • Sip (small amounts)
  • Swallow safely

Why we recommend a sippy cup early:

  • Easier first success (many babies manage a spout sooner than a straw)
  • Less mess → you offer the cup more often
  • More practice → faster progress

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also supports offering a cup around solids (often ~6 months) and says you can use a sippy (training) cup. Nationwide Children’s Hospital even suggests a super simple start: at about 6 months, let your baby hold an empty open sippy or 360° cup with handles during a daily meal to practice. 

Sippy cup or straw cup first? 

Here’s the quick answer: start with what gets you consistent practice. For many families, that’s a sippy cup first.

Start with a sippy cup if you want:

  • Quick wins (baby drinks sooner)
  • Easy daily practice
  • Less spill stress

Start with a straw cup if:

  • Your baby “gets it” quickly
  • You mostly practice at calm mealtimes
  • You don’t mind more early spills

In a nutshell, use a sippy cup first for confidence and make it a routine. Then, add straw once your baby is ready. Keep moving toward "regular cup" skills over time.

 

Quick shopping checklist

Use this list so you don’t overbuy.

  • Easy to clean (fewer parts is better)
  • Easy to hold (handles or a good grip shape)
  • Gentle on gums (good for teething months)
  • Leak-resistant for real life (but not so sealed it forces sucking)

👉 Go buy an easy-to-clean, spill-proof sippy cup for a perfect transition 💚

If your baby is starting solids and you want a smooth transition, a sippy cup is a smart first move.
It makes cup practice easier, and easier practice is what turns into real skills. 

Final Takeaways 

  • Start cup practice around solids (often ~6 months).
  • We recommend sippy cups early because they make practice easier and more consistent.
  • A simple path works: sippy first → add straw → build real cup skills.

 

Related post: Why Your Toddler Refuses Milk from a Sippy Cup: 7 Ways to Transition from Bottle to Cup

 

Sources

 

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