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Best Cups for Feeding Your Child at Home

erica0622

Choosing the right cup for feeding your child can be tough! Cups are constantly being redesigned, and new versions of cups seem to come out yearly. However, your choice in cup can significantly impact their feeding and oral motor development. Some cups may encourage continued use of a premature suckling pattern (which is needed for breast feeding), whereas the right cup can promote a mature swallow pattern. With so many options available, it’s essential to know which types of cups support healthy habits and which to avoid. Here are our feeding therapist’s favorite cups, and tips on which to avoid.

Talk Time Speech Language Therapy | Color picture of child drinking from an open cup | Read more to learn about the best cups for feeding at home from a feeding specialist

Best Cups for Feeding: Straw Cups and Open Cups


1. Straw Cups


Straw cups are an excellent choice for children as they promote lip closure and tongue retraction and position. Using a straw cup encourages the tongue to stay in a natural position, which supports future speech development and a proper, mature swallowing pattern.


Here are a couple of our favorites:

  • Honey Bear Cup: This classic straw cup is often used in feeding therapy to teach children how to drink from a straw. Squeezing the bottle helps assist the child in successfully using the straw by pulling liquid into the straw. Over time, this cup transitions children to independent straw drinking.

  • Munchkin Any Angle Weighted Straw Trainer Cup: This is a great option for toddlers who are learning to drink independently. The weighted straw ensures your child can sip while holding the cup at any angle, making it easier for them to succeed. Plus, the lid is built to prevent leaks and it comes with easy-to-hold handles. Perfect for on-the-go use.

  • Thermos FUNtainer Straw Cup: For older children, the Thermos FUNtainer is a fantastic option. It has a durable straw mechanism that supports proper oral motor patterns, while still being parent friendly (spill-proof and keeps drinks hot or cold!). This cup really bridges the gap between developmental needs and practicality for older kids.

Talk Time Speech Language Therapy | Recommended straw cups (honey bear, Munchkin any angle, and Thermos FUNtainer)

2. Open Cups


Open cups teach children how to drink without relying on sucking, which builds oral strength and coordination. Aside from promoting a mature swallow, it again encourages a natural tongue position for future speech development. Starting with a small, lightweight cup can help make the transition easier for little hands. You can even use small cups that you likely have around the house, like a medicine measuring cup. And often, children find more success with clear cups because they can better see the liquid as they are tipping the cup.


Here is one of our favorites:

  • Olababy Silicone Training Cup (with Straw Lid): This cup can be used with or without the straw lid, making it a fantastic option for transitioning from a straw cup to an open cup. It is made from a soft silicone material which is gentle on gums and easy for little hands to grip, and has a weighted base to help it stay upright. This cup is available in three sizes: 2 oz, 5 oz, and 9 oz, depending on the child’s needs.

  • The ezpz Tiny Cup: The ezpz Tiny Cup is another excellent option for children who can drink from an open cup. It has a soft silicone structure, which is gentle on the gums and teeth, but has a weighted base for stability and to help prevent tipping. The small size is ideal for little hands, allowing children to practice independently while reducing spills. Additionally, the cup’s design promotes proper lip closure and tongue positioning, supporting oral motor skill development.

Talk Time Speech Language Therapy | Recommended open cups (ezpz tiny cup, Olababy silicone training cup)

Cups to Avoid


While sippy cups and cups with a recessed lid are a common choice for many parents, they can create challenges for oral and feeding development. Here’s why:


  • Sippy Cups: Traditional sippy cups with hard spouts promote a more forward resting tongue position, which can interfere with speech and swallowing skills. For example, it can lead to a frontal lisp, where the child produces the sounds “s” and “z” with their tongue between their teeth (a forward tongue position) rather than behind their teeth. Prolonged use may also lead to dental issues like an open bite.

  • Recessed Lid Cups: These cups require excessive suction and sometimes the child learns to use their tongue to put pressure on the lid rather than their lips. Either can negatively impact feeding mechanics.

Talk Time Speech Language Therapy | Examples of cups to avoid (sippy cup and recessed lid cups)

Unless advised by a therapist for a specific purpose, it’s best to avoid sippy cups and recessed lid cups. If you’re transitioning from a sippy cup, prioritize straw or open cups to encourage healthier oral motor patterns and promote independence. Choosing a developmentally supportive cup, like a straw and open cup, will set your child up for success with feeding, speech, and oral motor skills.


When considering any cup, it’s important to think about age-appropriateness and your child’s unique developmental needs. While there isn’t a steadfast rule or specific age cutoff for any cup, the choice should be based on skill level. A Speech Language Pathologist or feeding therapist can provide invaluable guidance by evaluating your child’s oral structure and function and helping you choose the best cup that aligns with their needs.


Do you have concerns about your child’s feeding and swallowing skills? Or questions on which cups are the best cups for feeding? We can help! Reach out to Talk Time Speech Language Therapy to schedule your free consultation and learn more about a feeding evaluation and our services.

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