13 Best Non Toxic Sippy Cups Perfect For Transitioning
Sippy cups are a common transition cup to use but there mainly two problems that come with it. The first is many traditional sippy cups are made with toxic materials like non-BPA plastics which can leak toxic chemicals into the liquids. The second problem is sippy cups may interfere with a child’s speech because they may prevent the development of their jaw and tongue movements. But we know sippy cups are convenient to use and some children do prefer them so we’ll first give a list of the top 3 best non toxic sippy cup recommendations.
Then, we’ll share a list of the best non-toxic sippy cup alternatives. These alternatives are more effective at helping your child develop oral motor skills. Not only should your baby’s sippy cup be non-toxic, but also their pacifiers, cribs, and high chairs.
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What materials to avoid in toxic sippy cups?
Heavy Metals
Heavy metals are commonly found in toxic sippy cups and definitely should be avoided. If you see a sippy cup containing lead, mercury, cadmium, or arsenic, it means there are heavy metal contents inside. All of these are harmful toxins when ingested.
Exposure to heavy metals can have negative health effects for children especially. It can affect their cognitive development and behavior.
Plastics
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that has been widely used in the production of toxic plastics and it’s usually used in sippy cups made with a cheap plastic material. It is known to be an endocrine disruptor, meaning it can interfere with hormonal systems in the body.
Exposure to BPA can cause risks to your baby’s health. While there are BPA-free sippy cups in the market and a large majority of them are BPA-free, it’s still best to avoid using it.
The only safest plastic we’d recommend is sippy cups made with polypropylene because it’s a heat-resistant BPA-free plastic.
Just like how we want to avoid plastics in healthy baby bottles and sippy cups, it’s just as important for adults. Stay safe with these coffee makers made without plastic.
What is the best material for non toxic sippy cups?
Plastic-Free
A plastic-free sippy cup is the best choice because you don’t risk leaching any potential toxic chemicals into the sippy cup. If you read our article on the non-toxic baby bottles, you know how much we’re against using plastic in any kind of baby or toddler cup, even if it’s labeled as BPA-free.
Additionally, plastic is also not as durable as other materials like glass or stainless steel. Also, plastic is not always the easiest to clean because it builds odors, stains, and is susceptible to the growth of bacteria.
Compared to glass and stainless steel, plastics are more difficult to recycle so this makes it a less environmentally friendly option.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a great sippy cup material to use in non-toxic sippy cups because it’s durable, doesn’t leach harmful chemicals into your baby’s drink, and is resistant to corrosion. Compared to plastic, stainless steel is much easier to clean and doesn’t retain odors.
The biggest advantage stainless steel has is its insulation abilities. It’s able to keep your kid’s drink cold or hot for long periods of time.
Glass
Glass is a material used in some of the best non-toxic sippy cups. It’s 100% BPA-free and free from phthalates (sometimes found in plastic sippy cups). Glass that’s made with borosilicate glass is very durable and resistant to breakage. Pair it with a silicone sleeve and it’s practically unbreakable.
Glass sippy cups are also very easy to clean and doesn’t retain odors like plastic cups do.
One thing to consider is glass is heavier than other sippy cup materials so it could be difficult for young children to use who are just transitioning from using a baby bottle.
Silicone
Silicone is another great option for sippy cups. It’s naturally non-toxic and free of BPA, phthalates, lead, and PVC. Despite being durable, glass still runs the risk of breaking but silicone sippy cups are an incredibly durable material that can withstand lots of drops.
Since silicone is a flexible material, it’s gentle on your baby’s gums and teeth. It’s also one of the best non toxic sippy cups for babies that are transitioning from breast milk or bottles to using a cup.
Silicone is also heat-resistant so it can withstand high temperatures safely. Plus, it’s very easy to clean and can be sterilized in boiling water.
Are sippy cups not recommended?
Using sippy cups or sippy cup alternatives is a matter of personal preference and depend on a few factors.
The most important benefits of using sippy cups is it easily reduces spills and is the easiest type of cup to use for young children transitioning from bottle or breastfeeding to regular cups.
The downside of using sippy cups is the longer your baby uses sippy cups, the greater the chances of developing tooth decay or slow development or oral muscles.
However, sippy cups still are important if your baby needs it. The best way to approach this is to use a traditional sippy cup for a bit of time and then try to transition to using a straw cup or regular cup soon afterwards.
What Are the Alternatives to Sippy Cups?
There are quite a few best non-toxic sippy cup alternatives to regular sippy cups on the market. This includes:
Straw Cups: With the built-in straw, this helps children drink liquids without needed to tilt their heads back. Drinking with a straw also helps babies develop lip, cheek, and tongue muscles.
Open Cups: As adults, we drink with open cups the most often but it’s quite difficult for children at first. But drinking with them can help children develop proper swallowing techniques and use their tongues to control the flow of liquid. It’s of course messier at first but it’s good for the long run.
Silicone Lid Cups: These cups come with removable silicon lids that have a small opening on the lid. These require children to sip. Lids are great to have especially when your baby is moving in the car or on a stroller.
Training Cups: These cups are great for converting toddlers from bottles to cups. Toddler learning cups oftentimes have handles and a cover so it can prevent spills.
Best Non Toxic Sippy Cups
Best Stainless Steel Sippy Cup: Pura Kiki Stainless Steel Sippy Cup
Pura Kiki makes 100% plastic free stainless steel sippy cups and is one of the safest sippy cups.
We recommended their stainless steel baby bottle in our safest baby bottle post also. If you have their baby bottle, you can actually just replace the top with this Pura sippy lid instead of buying the whole bottle again.
These non-toxic sippy cups are BPA free and made with 304 stainless steel wrapped in a medical grade silicon sleeve.
It’s also certified Made Safe which means it’s made without toxic chemicals that won’t hurt human health or the environment.
While this is stainless steel material, it is a non-insulated stainless steel bottle. If you prefer an insulated Pura alternative, grab one here.
Best Mason Jar Sippy Cup: Healthy Sprouts Sippy Cup Lids
If you already have 8oz mason jars at home you’d like to reuse, it’s a good option to get these food-grade silicone sippy cup lids.
Just slide it over the top of the jars and you’ll turn the jars into spill proof sippy cups.
The silicone material is made with a BPA-free material and is also phthalate-free.
And since it’s a spout, it’s gentle on your baby’s teeth and gums.
The lids are also dishwasher-safe or you can even throw it into a pot of boiling water to sterilize it.
Best Glass Sippy Cup: Lifefactory Starter Set With Sippy Cap
Lifefactory makes some of the most high-quality glass bottles. The unique silicon sleeve is a nice added plus.
This starter baby bottle set includes everything you need to grow with your baby.
The set includes:
- Two 4oz glass baby bottles with stage 1 nippes
- Two 9oz glass baby bottles with stage 2 nipples
- 2 flat caps
- 2 sippy caps
- 2 stage 3 nipples
The sippy caps and lids are made of polypropylene plastic which is one of the safest plastics.
The Best Non Toxic Sippy Cup Alternatives
Tabor Place Glass Straw Cup
If your baby has reached 9-12 months old, it could be possible for them to switch to using a weighted straw cup.
Drinking from a straw helps babies and toddlers develop lip, cheek, and tongue muscles.
This 2-set from Tabor Place is completely safe to use because it’s made with durable borosilicate glass that’s shatter-resistant.
Plus, the silicon sleeve on the exterior of the glass bottle protects the glass. It also comes with a handy measurement window so you can see how much liquid is left.
With the two handles on the sides, it makes it even easier for your baby to make the transition, making it a great transition cup for your toddler. It also has removable handles.
Our Top Pick: Munchkin Stainless Steel 360 Cup
Compared to sippy cups with a spout, this 360 sippy cup is a better choice because it can help your child learn how to drink from a cup without making a mess.
Once your child stops drinking, it automatically seals so it prevents spilling.
Plus, it’s made from stainless steel. Only the lid is made of hard plastic but since it doesn’t touch the liquid, it’s completely fine.
It’s also insulated stainless steel so it keeps drinks cool for 15 hours.
Some people have concerns with 360 cups because it may lead to over activating facial muscles and excessive jaw movements.
But if your baby likes it best and there are plans to use a open cup soon, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Mushie Silicon Training Cup For Toddlers
This Mushie Silicon Trainer Cup can be a good alternative to traditional sippy cups because it’s made of 100% food grade silicone.
It has a straw which helps develop your child’s fine motor skills. And since it’s made of silicone, the material is gentle on your child’s teeth and gums.
Plus, the lid is removable so you can slowly transition to an open cup once your child is ready.
It’s microwave-safe and dishwasher-safe. Perfect for children over 6 month old.
PandaEar Silicone Toddler Drinking Cup
This toddler drinking cup is one of the best non-plastic sippy cups because it’s easy for your child to hold thanks to the grip bumps at the middle.
The contoured middle makes it even easier for your baby’s little hands to hold.
It’s made with BPA-free, phthalate-free, and PVC-free silicone.
Since the material is super soft yet durable, it can withstand teething. The plastic free cups are also weighted so it doesn’t topple easily.
Each cup holds around 3oz of liquid.
Ez Pz 100% Silicone Training Cup
Here’s another highly rated silicon training cup. This ezpz cup is angled so it provides even flow for safe drinking.
The base is weighted so it doesn’t topple easily. The cup is also small so it fits in the tiny hands of your baby.
It’s made of silicone that is PVC, BPA, BPS, PVC, latex, and phthalate free.
Babies 4 months or older can start using this cup.
Haakaa Silicone Baby Drinking Cup
If you’d like to be able to see how much is left in your baby’s drinking cup, this Haakaa silicone cup is a must-have.
It’s made with 100% food grade silicone which is a soft material to protect your baby’s teeth and gums. It’s BPA-free and dishwasher-safe.
And the best thing is it has non-slip handles so it’s very easy for your baby to hold themselves.
This fits around 5oz of liquids.
Elk and Friends Glass Cup With Silicone Straw Toddler Cup
If your child does not like to drink out of an open cup yet, the next transition cup for them is a cup with a straw.
These glass cups are made of 8oz mason jars covered with a silicon sleeve and there are silicon straws included.
And since there are straw stoppers, your baby won’t make a mess pulling out their straws.
If you also like to use stainless steel cups, the lids can be transferred to their stainless steel alternatives.
Also, the different colors and designs are so fun.
Elk and Friends Stainless Steel Bottle
If you feel glass is too risky, try to get stainless steel toddler cups instead.
This is made with 304 stainless steel and includes:
- 4 silicon sleeves
- 4 leak-proof lids
- 4 lids and straws withs stoppers
The straws have stoppers so no more pulling straws out and making a mess.
It also comes with a straw cleaning brush which makes it even easier to clean.
Olababy Clear View Silicone Training Cup With Straw Lid
This Olababy silicone training cup is one of the few non-toxic straw cups that’s colored and lets you see what’s inside.
It’s made free of BPA, PVC, lead, and phthalates. The whole piece including the straw is made of silicone so it’s easy on the teeth and gums.
The lid is also removable so whenever your baby is ready, they can use it as an open cup.
This one pictured is a 9oz size. They also have a 5oz cup as well.
It’s microwave, freezer, and heat safe up to 428F.
Stainless Steel Cups for Kids
Once your baby is bigger, you can transition to using these 8oz stainless steel cups.
Since it’s made of 18/8 stainless steel, it won’t break easily when dropped. It’s also BPA free and dishwasher safe.
It’s also electro-polished on the inside so it keeps the cup rust-free. Plus, it’s very easy to clean.
An nice added feature is there is a smooth and smooth lip for easier drinking.
FAQs on Best Non-Toxic Sippy Cups
Do pediatricians recommend sippy cups?
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends to start introducing sippy cups or sippy cup alternatives around 6 months and fully transitioning between 12 months and 18 months. Sippy cups are a great transitional cup since it can prevent spills. A straw cup can be an even better than using a sippy cup because it helps train their muscles and doesn’t negatively affect their tooth development.
Is straw cup better than sippy cup?
Deciding between a straw cup versus a sippy cup ultimately depends on your child’s preferences and stage of development. While straw cups allows your child to develop better oral motor skills and prevent tooth decay, it might be a rough transition to switch from bottle to straw cup. However, sippy cups are the best to be used as a transitional step from bottle to cup because it’s spill-proof and easier to use.
What age should a child drink from a straw?
Children can typically start using a straw around 9-12 months old once they have developed the necessary mouth and tongue control to suck and swallow liquids. However, some children may be able to use a straw even earlier, while others may take longer to adapt to it. It is important to supervise them while using a straw to ensure they do not poke themselves or have any choking hazards.
Should a 1 year old be in a bottle or sippy cup?
At around 12 months old, it is generally recommended to transition a child from a bottle to a sippy cup. Sippy cups aren’t only designed to help children learn how to sip and hold a cup, but it also promotes their motor skill development. However, the transition from bottle to sippy cup can vary from child to child, so it is important to consult with a pediatrician for guidance and to make this transition at a pace that suits the child’s needs.
Are soft or hard spout sippy cups better?
The choice between soft or hard spout sippy cups depends on the preferences and needs of the child and their development stage.
Soft sippy spout cups made of silicone or rubber are typically recommended for younger babies and toddlers who are transitioning from bottle or breastfeeding to cups. The soft spout mimics the feeling of a nipple, making it easier for them to drink from. They are also gentle on the gums and teeth and may help with teething discomfort.
Hard sippy spout cups are usually made of plastic products or hard material and they’re more suited for older toddlers who have stronger jaw muscles and are more skilled at drinking independently. They provide a firmer and more controlled flow of liquid and can be easier to clean.
What sippy cup is best for 2 year old?
For a 2 year old, the best kind of cup to use is an open cup. It’s actually best to stay away from a sippy cup for a 2 year old. Try the EZ PZ open silicone cup.
What is the best sippy cup for oral health?
Here are a few features to look for when choosing a sippy cup for oral health:
Non-spill design: A cup with a spill-proof valve prevents excessive liquid in the mouth at one time. This reduces exposure of teeth to sugars and acids that can lead to tooth decay.
Easy to sip: Choose a cup that allows the child to sip rather than suck so this can promote better tongue and oral muscle coordination.
No prolonged or constant use: Try to avoid constant use of sippy cups throughout the day since it can affect the development of oral muscles and lead to tooth decay.
Removable valves: Choose cups with removable valves or lids to control the flow of liquid. Once your baby is ready, take off the lid and drink it directly from the cup.
BPA-free and easy to clean: Look for cups made from BPA-free materials like stainless steel, silicone, and glass. Cups easy to keep clean are good for oral hygiene.
Remember, it’s also crucial to transition your child to drinking from an open cup as they grow older, as this is the best option for oral health.
That’s all we have for the best non toxic sippy cups and sippy cup alternatives! We hope this guide has given you all the information you need to make an informed decision on what kind of sippy cup, straw cup, or open cup to get for you baby.
Remember, each child is unique and their speed of development will differ. So choose an option that fits best with where your child is currently at rather than follow the expected timelines determined by pediatric organizations!
For more non toxic baby guides, check out these posts!
- Cribs: Best Non Toxic Baby Cribs
- Crib Sheets: Best Organic Baby Crib Sheets
- Crib Paint: Best Non-Toxic Crib Paints
- Baby Bottles: Best Non Toxic Baby Bottles
- Strollers: Best Non Toxic Baby Strollers
- High Chairs: Best Non Toxic High Chairs
- Bassinet: Best Non Toxic Bassinets
- Pacifiers: Best Non-Toxic Baby Pacifiers
- Play Kitchen: Best Non-Toxic Play Kitchen Sets
