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How should I introduce a straw or sippy cup, and which cups work best for water and milk?

Moms favor straw cups over spout cups for healthier oral development, often introducing a silicone straw around 6 months; ezpz, Avent, Luvlap, Munchkin and bbox 360 are popular picks, and tricks like putting porridge on the straw help babies learn.

💡Quick Answer

  • Straw (and open) cups beat spout cups for oral development
  • A silicone straw can be introduced around 6 months
  • Popular cups: ezpz (home), Avent, Luvlap & Munchkin weighted straw sippers, bbox 360 (travel)
  • Teaching trick: dab porridge on the straw or tilt the cup so a little water reaches the mouth
  • Practice once a day with baby sitting upright
  • Milk can go in a normal cup; many moms skip bottles for milk entirely

⚠️ Caution:Offer cups with the baby upright and supervised. If your baby's water or fluid intake seems consistently low, mention it to your pediatrician.

🤔What Parents Worry About

Parents worry their baby drinks too little water and that choosing the wrong cup might harm oral development or prolong bottle dependence. The community reassures that straw cups are both healthy and learnable - many babies pick up a silicone straw within days using simple tricks like porridge on the straw - and that low water intake can be supplemented with hydrating fruits while the skill develops.

Community Answers from Moms(8)

Here's what moms in our community shared based on their own experience.

  1. 1

    Spout cups are easy to suck but don't support optimal tongue, lip and jaw movement; straw and open cups develop lip seal and a more mature swallow. Practice once a day with the baby upright.

  2. 2

    Start a silicone straw at 6 months - mine took to it in 4-5 days, then switched to Luvlap. Put ragi porridge on the straw and tilt the cup so a little water reaches the mouth.

  3. 3

    Use a Luvlap weighted straw sipper or Munchkin any-angle weighted straw sipper.

  4. 4

    Philips Avent straw sipper has a bent straw to reach water to the end, handles to hold, and is easy to sterilise; Avent spout and straw cups are also liked.

  5. 5

    The ezpz infant cup/straw cup is great for home (silicone straw can be sterilized); for outside use leak-proof weighted straw cups; the bbox 360 cup is great for travel.

  6. 6

    We give milk in a normal cup (helping him) and use a 360 cup for water; you can do straw or sippy - we never used bottles for milk.

  7. 7

    Avent straw bottles were a favourite till my kid turned one.

  8. 8

    For low water intake, also offer hydrating fruits like watermelon, oranges and muskmelon.

About These Answers

The information shared on this page comes from real experiences of mothers in our community. While we strive to provide helpful insights, this content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your pediatrician, healthcare provider, or other qualified medical professional for any questions regarding your child's health or development.

Last reviewed: June 17, 2026

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How should I introduce a straw or sippy cup, and which cups work best for water and milk? | Real Mom Answers | Mom Insider