Parents are always looking for the best options to support their baby’s eating and drinking development. A straw cup may seem convenient at first, but if the goal is to teach a child to drink independently from a cup, it may not be the best choice.
How is drinking from a cup different from using a bottle or straw cup?
When a baby drinks from a cup, they must use their tongue to move the liquid from their lips to the back of their mouth for swallowing. This process is entirely different from breastfeeding or bottle feeding, where the liquid flows directly to the back of the mouth without engaging oral motor control.
Cup drinking naturally develops oral motor skills and swallowing abilities. In the beginning, drinking from a cup may require the adult’s assistance: an adult holds the cup and regulates the flow until the child learns to manage it on their own.
Why straw cups or spouted sippy cups may not be the best option
Straw and spouted sippy cups make everyday life easier by reducing spills. However, they don’t optimally support the development of natural swallowing or oral motor skills.
For example, the long and hard spout of a traditional sippy cup may guide drinking in an unnatural way and cause problems in oral motor development. This may later lead to difficulties with speech or feeding.
👉 Read more about the problems with spouted sippy cups
Features of a good training cup
When choosing a training cup for your child, look for these features:
✅ Liquid flows without tilting the head backward
✅ The cup is durable and won’t break if bitten
✅ The adult can see into the child’s mouth while drinking
✅ A thick or curved rim helps stabilize drinking and biting
✅ Flow control to adjust liquid amount based on the child’s needs
✅ Easy for small hands to hold
✅ Appealing appearance, like fun colors or character illustrations
The right kind of cup makes the learning process easier, safer, and more developmentally supportive.
Skandino’s Spout-Free Training Cup – The Better Choice
Skandino has developed an ergonomic and safe training cup together with speech therapists that supports natural drinking development.
💚 Supports swallowing and oral motor development
💚 Made from 100% plant-based, toxin-free materials
💚 Dishwasher and microwave safe
💚 Includes a limiting lid to prevent uncontrolled liquid flow
💚 Available with adorable Moomin characters
Best of all: once the child learns to drink independently, the lid can be removed, and the cup continues to serve as a regular drinking cup for years!
👉 Discover Skandino’s spout-free training cup and give your child the best start to independent eating. 🌿✨
