Congrats! You made it through the bottle phase and you’re finally ready to graduate to sippy cups!

Around 6 months of age, or when your child begins to sit up independently, it is a great idea to begin to introduce a sippy cup.

The sippy cup gives your baby a bit more independence. It makes it easier for her to lift the cup and drink safely while building self-reliance in baby steps, and sippy cups are safe. I love introducing sippy cups for the first-time during meals. It’s a way to give your baby a little independence, while also allowing them to develop skills. It also gives you a break, mom! Of course, there are a ton of sippy cup styles and sizes, each of which is ideal for babies of different ages. Here, I’ll list out some of my favorites for your babe.

Xo,

Lizzie

Important Sippy Cup Features to Consider

While the sippy cup recommendations listed below are selected to match general age group needs, the best sippy cup for your baby will depend on their own personal abilities and development. So consider the features listed here in terms of which are most important for you and your baby’s needs.

• Flat Lid / No Spout: Sometimes called 360 cups, these are good for babies who don’t yet grasp the benefits of turning the cup toward the face. They tend to lack no-spill capabilities.
• Soft Spout: These are similar to the nipple on a baby bottle and can be a good transition choice as they better suit your baby’s early texture preference.
• Straw: Straw use is associated with better speech development. Therefore, it is a great option if your baby can manage it.
• Hard Spout: A hard spout cup is good as a transition between a soft spout and a straw.
• Handles: These are good for babies who have a tough time grabbing the bottle. It’s mostly for those toddlers who tend to reach for the cup without looking.
• No Phthalates: as artificial estrogen, BPAs are a toxin. While phthalate-free materials are more expensive, they are a good way to help avoid potential health problems.
• Spill Proof: All but necessary if your bay drops the cup frequently, no-spill cups can save you some heartache over your carpets and upholstery.
• Weighted Bottom: Another aid for bumpy babies, weighted bottom cups help make spills less likely.

The Best Transition Sippy Cups for Each Age

4 to 6 Months

Nuby No-Spill Super Spout Grip N Sip

The Nuby No-Spill is an affordable 8-ounce sippy cup. It is a great BPA-free choice that comes in a range of bright color options. It is easy to clean, tough, and does not leak when the top is screwed on properly.

One of the biggest complaints parents have about this cup is that babies with teeth can bite through the relatively soft silicone straw, which can be a safety issue. However, if your baby does not have teeth showing yet, it is almost perfect for 4 to 6-month-olds.

Munchkin Latch Transition Cup

This sippy cup is relatively expensive. But it is made from quality materials and has a number of useful features. It is compatible with bottle nipples available from the same brand, which makes it even better for early transitioners.

It only holds four ounces of liquid, which may seem like too little for some babies. The handles also reportedly have a tendency to break off when used by some rambunctious toddlers. It is also BPA-free.

Tommee Tippee FiDOIDY Cup

The Tommee Tippee cup comes in at a more modest price point and works with both bottle and nipple top options. It is hailed as an excellent cup for babies that still prefer the bottle since it comes with the nipple option.

It is small at only 5 ounces, but it’s not the smallest. Since it is probably best for the earliest transitioners, it could be the choice cup. The manufacturer says they recommend it for four-month-olds.

6 to 12 Months

NUK Learner Cup

Coming in at a medium price range, the NUK Learner Cup is a quality product that comes in both 5 and 10-ounce versions. So, if your baby is ready to sit up for longer periods of time, it’s a good choice. This was the winner that got my children to transition from a bottle nipple to a sippy cup with ease! My daughter’s loved that it came in a Minnie Mouse version!

The spout can be a bit slow, which can be discouraging to less determined toddlers, but it’s great for babies. It is also another BPA-free cup, freeing you from related health concerns. The NUK is also easy to clean, which is always a bonus.

ZoLi BOT Straw Sippy Cup

While the ZoLi BOT does come in the higher price range, it delivers plenty of value in quality materials and features. The weighted straw helps babies get all of the liquid out of even the lowest recesses of the container.

Perhaps the biggest problem is the fact that it has a soft straw that can be bitten through. Also, babies of the age range for whom this item is intended will tend to have teeth showing. So, if your baby is a bottle-biter, the ZoLi might not be the best choice.

Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup

This budget-friendly sippy cup comes in a range of colors and sizes. This cup is technically a spill-proof product. However, warning to moms, a little liquid can spill out if babies learn to press down on the middle of the top.

More curious children are likely to discover this, and when they do, the Munchkin becomes unusable. It is inexpensive, though, and easy to disassemble and clean. If your baby is well-behaved at the table, it could even be a good item for the final transition to true open cups.

12 to 18 Months

First Essentials by NUK Fun Grips Hard Spout Sippy Cup

This simple sippy cup is inexpensive, easy to clean, and has just two parts for easy washing. The hourglass shape is easy to hold and the lack of handles makes it fit into the dishwasher more easily. It is also BPA-free.

The one downfall of this cup is its wide base, which makes it an ill-fit for most cup holders. It is truly 100% spill proof though, which will help to ease your mind.

Nuby No-Spill Cup with Flex Straw

Yet another budget-friendly sippy cup, the Nuby No-Spill is truly spill-proof, easy to clean, and BPA-free. Its silicone straw is thick and sturdy so that your baby is unlikely to be able to bite through it. A built-in valve prevents leaks and spills.

Its one weakness is that it is a 10-ounce container, which may be too much for some babies to lift. If your baby hasn’t got the muscle to lift it when full, you can simply put less drink into it.

The First Years Take and Toss Spill-Proof Sippy Cups

Our final item is yet another budget-friendly sippy cup. The First Years Toss and Spill is fully spill-proof. Even as an inexpensive cup, you get several cups in one package, for a great value.

The major downside here is the fact that the lid can be easily removed. Therefore, it is best suited for toddlers who will listen and follow instructions when you tell them not to remove the lid.