5 Best Baby Straw Cups – Training Cups to Toddler Cups
There are so many different types of baby cups on the market these days, but one that is growing in popularity is the straw cup. Straw cups allow babies’ oral muscles to develop properly as compared to a sippy cup. I’ve avoided sippy cups with my kids altogether and therefore have tried many baby cups with straws. So, I’ve put together a list of my favorite baby straw cups to help you choose for your baby!
What age can a baby use a straw cup?
You can introduce a straw cup to your baby as early as 6 months old. Just like with starting baby-led weaning, it’s best to wait until baby is able to sit up well on their own before giving them a straw cup.
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However, every baby will develop this skill in their own time. My son picked it up very quickly and was able to proficiently drink from a straw at around 7 months while my daughter was closer to 11 months.
Teaching Baby to Drink from a Straw
Obviously, your baby will need to learn how to drink from a straw before they can easily use straw cups. There are a few methods to go about this:
- One method is to put your finger on the end of a straw to allow water to stay inside the straw. Let a small amount out in your baby’s mouth. This is enough for many babies to pick up it and begin to suck naturally.
- Another method is using a straw trainer cup. We used this honey bear trainer with my daughter and it worked very well. The cup is made so that you can squeeze it to provide assistance in getting the water up the straw to the baby. As the baby catches on you can squeeze it less (see video below for better instructions.)
In the video below, Casey Fish, an Occupational Therapist (and my husband!) helps me demonstrate both methods in teaching your baby to drink from a straw.
Teaching your baby to drink from an open cup at a young age is also great. Here are my favorite open cups for babies.
How to Choose a Straw Cup
Here are a few things to consider when choosing a straw cup for your baby.
- Material – If you’ve read my previous posts on choosing baby led weaning gear or other toddler feeding essentials, then you know I’m a big fan of silicone or silicone-covered glass. They are lightweight, don’t have the risk of being broken when dropped (like glass), and don’t run the risks of toxin leaks like plastic does.
- Durability – You want a cup that will last through drops, dishwashing, and more. Babies can be hard on things!
- Size/Weight – Especially for your baby’s first straw cup choose something small and easy to hold! It will be frustrating for some babies if they have a hard time holding the cup. As they grow and get closer to 1 year old, the cup options open up quite a bit.
- Ease of Cleaning – I prefer simple cups that do not have many nooks and crannies as they can be a challenge to pull apart and properly clean.
- Extra Features – Some straw cups have additional features such as handles, weighted straws, and more. These are optional depending on your preferences.
Best Baby Straw Cups
Ok, here are my top 5 favorite picks for cups with straws for babies.
1. EZPZ Mini Cup + Straw Trainer System
I love that this cup is both the perfect first open cup for your baby as well as a first straw cup. The silicone design is soft and lightweight and the size is perfect for a baby’s small hands. As an open cup, the shape is perfect for learning to drink the liquid. Plus, it’s weighted on the bottom making it less likely to tip over as they set it down.
PROS:
- This is the smallest straw cup I could find at just 4 oz which is perfect for learning.
- Made of durable silicone
- Doubles as a great open cup for training as well.
CONS:
- It feels a bit pricey for a small cup. If you are on a tight budget I would buy a cup that will last a bit longer as your baby will outgrow this once they get bigger.
2. Olababy Silicone Training Cup
This is my other top choice for a silicone training straw cup. It’s 5 oz so slightly larger than the EZPZ trainer cup, but not by much. It is also 100% silicone and has similar features including a wide base and can also be used as an open cup.
PROS:
- 100% silicone – BPA free, phthalate free, and PVC free
- Can be used as an open cup
- Dishwasher safe
CONS:
- Slightly larger than the EZPZ cup – this could actually be a pro if your baby is older.
- Again this is a pricier option as well.
3. Baby Trainer Cup with Handles
If you’re looking for a small cup with handles to teach your baby, then this might be your pick. I personally never used handled cups with my kids, but I do know some moms prefer them. While it is a little larger than the EZPZ trainer cup it is still on the small size at just 5 oz.
PROS:
- It’s very lightweight and small with handles which some parents prefer.
- Comes apart easily for cleaning.
CONS:
- Many reviewers found the straw to be the downfall to this cup and write that it comes out too easily making a huge mess.
4. Mini Baby Silicone Cup with Straw
This set of 3 is an affordable cup option. They are larger at 8 oz, but would grow with your child in this way and still be a lighter weight option than the Elk & Friends cups (which I love) below. This could be a great budget-friendly option.
PROS:
- Affordable set of 3 with various color options
- Made of silicone
- 8 oz which means it will grow with your child
CONS:
- The size is a bit large in comparison to EZPZ for a younger baby.
- Can spill if squeezed which many young babies will likely do.
5. Best Older Baby/Toddler Straw Cup: Elk & Friends Straw Cups
I love these cups as your baby gets a little older. While it will likely be difficult to hold at 6 months due to the weight of the glass, they are the perfect cup as your baby grows older through toddler years. We have a set of these and use them everyday. They are perfect for every liquid including smoothies.
PROS:
- They are made of glass and have a silicone sleeve making them a durable option. (I assure you my kids have dropped them numerous times and they have yet to break.)
- Multi-colors in a set make them a great everyday cup for home use and to distinguish cups with siblings.
- Dishwasher safe.
- The straw stopper makes it so your little one can not remove the straw!
CONS:
- Too large and heavy for a very young baby to hold on their own.
Choosing a Straw Cup for Baby
Now that you know some of the best options for baby straw cups, how do you choose which one is right for your baby?
The answer is simple. It depends on the age and stage of your baby. If you are looking for a first cup to introduce to your baby around 6 months old, I recommend either the EZPZ or Olababy cup with a transition to Elk & Friends cups as your child gets older. If you have an older baby or toddler you may prefer to just start with Elk & Friends or possibly the Mini Baby Silicone Straw cups as a lightweight budget friendly option.
More Helpful Baby Led Weaning Resources
Baby Led Weaning Essentials – If you are looking for all of my favorite baby led weaning gear here it is!
4 Best Open Cups for Baby + Teaching Your Baby Cup Skills
FREE Toddler Snack Printable & Grocery List
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