A Speech Therapist's Guide to Buying Toddler Cups

Open Cups: The Gold Standard

Open cups are my number-one recommendation for toddlers. Drinking from an open cup supports correct swallowing patterns and helps your child practice using the same muscles they’ll rely on for chewing, talking, and more advanced feeding skills. Yes, it’s messy at first, but I promise those little spills are worth the developmental benefits! Start small, with a lightweight, toddler-sized open cup (like this one or this one) that’s easy for your child’s little hands to manage.

Straw Cups: The Next Best Thing

If you’re looking for a more practical option (especially for travel or daycare), straw cups are the next best choice. Drinking from a straw strengthens the lips, tongue, and cheeks while encouraging a more mature swallow pattern. I recommend choosing no-spill straw cups (like this one) because they allow for convenience while still offering the developmental benefits of straw drinking. Just be sure the straw is positioned correctly so your child doesn’t have to bite or suck too hard to get liquid. If you buy one with a weighted straw (like this one) and your child seems to struggle when sucking, the little weight at the bottom can be removed until your child becomes more skilled at using the straw.

Why I Don’t Recommend Sippy Cups

Sippy cups (anything with a spout like this) might be convenient, but they don’t do your toddler any favors developmentally. The spout design encourages an infant-like suckle or immature swallow pattern instead of helping your child move forward in their feeding skills. Over time, relying on sippy cups can actually hinder the growth of important muscles needed for speech and eating. In short: they’re easy for parents, but not great for kids. The straw cups listed above come in spill-proof options, which I always recommend over sippy cups.

What About 360 Cups?

Many parents ask me about 360 cups because they seem like a “better” version of sippy cups because they “look” like an open cup. Unfortunately, they still encourage an infant-like swallowing pattern. Instead of supporting the transition to a mature swallow, 360 cups often keep children stuck in that earlier stage. While they may reduce spills, they don’t give your child the oral motor practice needed for healthy feeding and speech development. If you’re looking for a spill-resistant option, a no-spill straw cup is the better choice. For open-cup practice, opt for using an actual open cup with your child and just embrace the mess!

Putting It All Together

Here’s the bottom line: for healthy oral development, skip the traditional sippy cups. Offer your toddler an open cup whenever possible, and use a no-spill straw cup when you need a mess-free option. These small daily choices help set your child up for stronger feeding abilities and clearer speech as they grow.

Helping your toddler transition away from bottles doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right cup, you’re not just preventing spills—you’re supporting their development in big ways. If you are in the Pensacola area and feel like you need extra support in the transition from bottles to cups, we’d love to help! You can follow the link below to book a free consultation with one of our experienced speech therapists.