Image: By Aaron Jacobs from Los Angeles, CA (To Christmas!) via Wikimedia Commons
What is a Sippy Cup or Transition Cup
In general, a sippy cup is a small cup with a lid and a spout, for an infant or young child to drink from.
The sippy cup, for children, is the next step for getting rid of that bottle.
Transition cups are simply another name for sippy cups which are geared toward babies 4 to 9 months of age. These cups usually have a soft spout that is meant to protect sensitive gums, two handles for those tiny hands to have an easy grip so baby can easily hold and maneuver the cup. The Munchkin Sports bottle is like mom and dad would use.
The sippy cup, for children, is the next step for getting rid of that bottle.
Transition cups are simply another name for sippy cups which are geared toward babies 4 to 9 months of age. These cups usually have a soft spout that is meant to protect sensitive gums, two handles for those tiny hands to have an easy grip so baby can easily hold and maneuver the cup. The Munchkin Sports bottle is like mom and dad would use.
History of Sippy Cup
A Mechanical Engineer and dad, by the name of Richard Belanger, was tired of having to clean up the mess while his child was learning how to use an ordinary cup. Well, kids spill there cups while learning to go from bottle to cup, and when they get older.
Richard Bellinger invented the original sippy cup in 1988.
Belanger created a simple cup with a valve that prevented the back flow of liquid, which helped to avoid spilling the contents of the cup when it wasn't used correctly. Belanger was able to sell his idea to Playtex, and the no-leak cup was officially born sometime in the early 90s.
While the leak-free cup from the early days wasn't like the cups, or transition cups we use today, it certainly paved the way for the abundance of products that fill the baby aisle shelves today.
Richard Bellinger invented the original sippy cup in 1988.
Belanger created a simple cup with a valve that prevented the back flow of liquid, which helped to avoid spilling the contents of the cup when it wasn't used correctly. Belanger was able to sell his idea to Playtex, and the no-leak cup was officially born sometime in the early 90s.
While the leak-free cup from the early days wasn't like the cups, or transition cups we use today, it certainly paved the way for the abundance of products that fill the baby aisle shelves today.
Is The Sippy Cup Really Needed
Sippy cups are not a requirement for teaching children to drink correctly from a cup.
Some specialists even feel it can delay a child's ability or interest in using a real cup. Disney has a lot of cute real cups for kids.
It continues to promote the anterior-posterior movement of the tongue, characteristic of a suckle-like pattern that infants use for breast or bottle feeding.
Sippy cups limit the child’s ability to develop a more mature swallowing pattern, especially with continued use after the first year.
The spout blocks the tongue tip from rising up to the alveolar ridge just above the front teeth and forces the child to continue to push his tongue forward and back as he sucks on the spout to extract the juice.
(Source: Melanie Potock, MA - THE ASHA LEADER BLOG)
Some specialists even feel it can delay a child's ability or interest in using a real cup. Disney has a lot of cute real cups for kids.
It continues to promote the anterior-posterior movement of the tongue, characteristic of a suckle-like pattern that infants use for breast or bottle feeding.
Sippy cups limit the child’s ability to develop a more mature swallowing pattern, especially with continued use after the first year.
The spout blocks the tongue tip from rising up to the alveolar ridge just above the front teeth and forces the child to continue to push his tongue forward and back as he sucks on the spout to extract the juice.
(Source: Melanie Potock, MA - THE ASHA LEADER BLOG)
Safety
Cups should never be used while an infant is moving. Research has shown that a child enters the emergency room every 4 hours, on average, with a product related injury from improper cup use; lacerations to the face or palate are the primary injury reported.
In fact, between 1991 and 2010, an incidence of 45,000 pediatric injuries presented to ERs as a result of sippy cup use, typically oral lacerations. So be careful when using leak-free cups, follow safe practice directions.
No leak cups can present a potential hazard to those who are up and about . To avoid injury, children should be stationary, sitting at a table, when using the cup.
It is recommended to offer children a real cup when possible.
Also remember that glass breaks.
Gerber Graduates Sip & Smile
The Sip and Smile has a stiffer hard spout with what looks to be a soft silicone lining for baby's gums. The Sip and Smile has a stiffer hard spout with what looks to be a soft silicone lining for baby's gums.
The mouthpiece is stiffer than the silicone nozzle used in the Pura Kiki, which may cause injury if child is walking around and then fall with it in their mouth.
This cup is made of plastic, and easy to clean. It should be washed in warm, soapy water by hand.
In fact, between 1991 and 2010, an incidence of 45,000 pediatric injuries presented to ERs as a result of sippy cup use, typically oral lacerations. So be careful when using leak-free cups, follow safe practice directions.
No leak cups can present a potential hazard to those who are up and about . To avoid injury, children should be stationary, sitting at a table, when using the cup.
It is recommended to offer children a real cup when possible.
Also remember that glass breaks.
Gerber Graduates Sip & Smile
The Sip and Smile has a stiffer hard spout with what looks to be a soft silicone lining for baby's gums. The Sip and Smile has a stiffer hard spout with what looks to be a soft silicone lining for baby's gums.
The mouthpiece is stiffer than the silicone nozzle used in the Pura Kiki, which may cause injury if child is walking around and then fall with it in their mouth.
This cup is made of plastic, and easy to clean. It should be washed in warm, soapy water by hand.
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Types of Sippy CupsMost materials used to manufacture the various types of sippy cups and kids bottles are:
Glass Glass doesn't leak toxic chemicals. Cons: Glasss cups are breakable and will shatter with sharp pieces that will cause injury, and heavier than plastic. However, some manufacturers like Lifefactory, include a silicone sleeve with their glass cups to avoid injury should the glass break. That being said, glass cups will eventually break, even with a silicone sleeve. Plastic Plastic is relatively lightweight in comparison to those made of other materials. The plastic sippy cups are easier for a little ones to pick up, bring it up to their mouth and to carry around. Toddler Cups Toddler cups are designed to fit the needs of children 12 months to 3 years old. These cups feature soft and hard spouts, or straw mouthpieces. The cups normally have a contoured shape for easy gripping (most no longer sport handles), and they can hold between 7 to 11 ounces. Kid Bottles Kid sports bottles are designed for on the go children from 3 to 6 years of age. These vessels feature even larger volume capabilities, of 10 to 15 ounces, and are often insulated for longer days at school, camp, and outdoor activities. Kids sports bottles at one time were known as thermos jugs or thermos bottles. Of course, today we have sports bottles, etc. Stainless Steel Stainless Steel is one of the heaviest in sippy/transition cups which make it harder for very little ones to pick it up or use it immediately with ease. The advantage to these cups is that they don't leak, break, shatter, or chip making them superior to those made of plastic and glass. Stainless steel is usually easy to clean, and does not impart flavor to its contents. Unless they are painted, the are dishwasher safe. Pura Kiki is a nice stainless steel sippy option The stainless steel body does not leach chemicals, and its narrow silhouette makes it easier for little hands to hold, while the silicone sleeve helps prevent dropping, and it fits in almost all cup holders. Mouthpiece is silicone and similar to that baby bottle nipple with sucking techniques similar to the way baby drank from their bottle. Easy To Clean: Nothing more than a bottle brush is needed. Weight: When full, it the weight may make it difficult for smaller or weaker babies to hold without dropping it on themselves. |
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Spouts-MouthpiecesThe transition mouthpiece designs are not as varied as that of the toddler cups, but there are still a few options to choose from. Many of the transition cups have soft spouts that are gentle on gums making it easier to go from bottle to cup.
Some cups have a stiffer spout with a thin layer of softer material surrounding it which makes it easier on baby's gums. Harder spouts increase the chances for injury, because they are not flexible. Playtex Straw Cup One of the popular cups is those with a straw. However, this type is found more often in the toddler cups than transition cups. Your dentist may prefer the use of a straw cup because of the decrease in the amount of fluid that comes in direct contact with teeth, therefore, decreasing dental caries. |
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Gerber Graduates Fun Grips Hard Spout Sippy Cup
Easy for small hands to hold, and the twist open-close top will make this straw cup one of your faves.
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Leak-Free Cups With Valves
Leak-free cups normally have a valve for the purpose of being leak-free. However, the American Dental Association recommends avoiding no-leak valves entirely.
They feel that leak-free valve cups:
Encourage the same type of sucking action as nipples, which may hinder development of skills beyound infancy such as the ability learn how to master the sipping and holding skills necessary to use an ordinary cup.
Because of the leak-free valve, lessening the sticky mess from sugary drinks, parents may have the tendency to increase the amount of sugary/carbohydrate liquids which could result in tooth decay.
In fact, the ADA suggests parents use leak-free cups only for a short duration, and to encourage children to master the skill of controlled drinking from a real cup as soon as possible and then discontinue the use of the leak-free cup.
Sticking with a straw cup eliminates the issue of valves. They also reduce the amount of fluid that comes into contact with teeth, and they typically come with a lid that seals up the straw opening when the cup is not in use.
They feel that leak-free valve cups:
Encourage the same type of sucking action as nipples, which may hinder development of skills beyound infancy such as the ability learn how to master the sipping and holding skills necessary to use an ordinary cup.
Because of the leak-free valve, lessening the sticky mess from sugary drinks, parents may have the tendency to increase the amount of sugary/carbohydrate liquids which could result in tooth decay.
In fact, the ADA suggests parents use leak-free cups only for a short duration, and to encourage children to master the skill of controlled drinking from a real cup as soon as possible and then discontinue the use of the leak-free cup.
Sticking with a straw cup eliminates the issue of valves. They also reduce the amount of fluid that comes into contact with teeth, and they typically come with a lid that seals up the straw opening when the cup is not in use.
Coolster Tumbler
The Coolster is an insulated spill-proof cup, that your big kid will love. Perfect for your pre-schooler.