Raise your hand if you've been scared by something you saw on the internet into thinking your child's favorite cup is harmful. Let me reassure you that much like pacifiers, what matters in terms of developmental impact is not the type of cup being used but the frequency, intensity, and duration of its use. Offering a variety of cups is the key.
Check out the article by The Informed SLP called What's Up With Cups for a summary of the evidence surrounding sippy cup use, the impact on swallow pattern, and facial development. It'll ease your mind.
Cups I AVOID As A Parent & Pediatric Dentist
In my household, there are only two types of cups I avoid:
1. Anything that uses a firm straw (metal or plastic).
2. Anything with a hard spout.
My reason isn't due to developmental concerns but TRAUMA risk. Children are busy, they stand up or slip out of their chairs, and if a hard straw or spout is in their mouth at that moment, severe dental or soft tissue injury can occur.
Cups I DO Offer My Children
Around six months of age I began to offer my littles water to drink from a cup at mealtime.
- Ezpz cups or dixie cups work great, whichever best suits your budget. The small amount reduces mess and is the perfect size for little hands.
- A Reflo cup is helpful if your child tends to choke or douse themselves in a waterfall, as it has an insert that reduces the flow of liquid.
- The Munchkin Miracle 360 cup and the Munchkin weighted straw cup are great when you need spill resistance
In the end, the best cup is the one that your child likes and can use successfully! Don't stress or waste hundreds of dollars trying to get them to use the “best” one – because there isn't a “best” one as far as evidence goes. You can find more options of cups that I love as a pediatric dentist and mom of three here.
Regarding their dental health, the most important factor is WHAT is inside the cup. The cup your child has access to all day should be filled with water. Reserve sweet/acidic drinks for meal times. And please, don't let your child take a bottle or sippy cup into bed with them that contains anything but water!
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