Choosing your child’s first sippy cup should be simple - but with so many shapes, spouts, straws and materials available, it can quickly become confusing.
Will it be easy for little hands to hold? Can it be used for water and milk? Is it simple to clean? And will your child outgrow it in just a few months?
The best sippy cup is one that suits your child’s current stage while helping them build confidence as they learn to drink more independently. A cup that can move from a sippy cup straw to an open cup can also stay useful well beyond the baby stage.
In this guide, we’ll cover what to look for when choosing a sippy cup for babies and toddlers, how to use one for milk, and why a convertible design can make everyday mealtimes easier.
What is a sippy cup?
A sippy cup is a training cup designed to help babies and toddlers move from breast or bottle feeding towards independent cup drinking. Depending on the design, it may include a spout, straw or removable lid.
Although people often use “sippy cup” to describe any lidded toddler cup, not every option works in the same way. You might come across a traditional spouted cup, a 360-degree cup, a sippy cup with straw or a cup that can later be used as an open cup.
For many families, the most practical choice is a cup that can adapt as their child grows instead of serving only one short stage.
When can a baby start using a sippy cup?
Many families begin introducing a training cup around the time their baby starts solids. Your child should be sitting upright and supervised whenever drinking.
There is no need to expect perfect sipping straight away. Learning to hold a cup, close the lips around a straw and control the flow of liquid takes practice. Start with a small amount of water at mealtimes and let your baby explore the cup without pressure.
Creative Play Resources’ Silicone Sippy Cup with Straw is designed for children from 8 months and beyond. Its soft silicone body is comfortable for little hands, while the flexible straw offers a gentle way to practise independent drinking.
What should you look for in a sippy cup?
1. A design that grows with your child
Babies and toddlers develop quickly, so a cup designed for only one stage may soon end up unused in the cupboard.
A convertible sippy cup gives you more flexibility. Your child can begin drinking through the straw, then you can remove the lid and straw when they are ready to practise with an open cup. This means the same cup can remain useful into the toddler years and beyond.
2. A soft, durable material
Toddlers drop things - it is part of learning. A silicone sippy cup is soft, durable and far less likely to crack or break when it falls from the highchair or table.
Our cup is made from 100% food-grade silicone and is BPA, PVC and phthalate free. It has also been independently tested, giving families extra reassurance when choosing an everyday cup.
3. A manageable size for little hands
A large or heavy cup can be difficult for a baby or young toddler to control. A smaller capacity keeps the cup lighter and more manageable as children build coordination.
At 180ml, the Creative Play Resources sippy cup holds enough for drinks at meals and snacks without becoming overly bulky for little hands.
4. Simple cleaning
The best sippy cup is one you can clean thoroughly without hunting for tiny, easy-to-lose parts.
Look for removable components and check that the inside of the straw is easy to reach. Our silicone sippy cup is dishwasher safe and comes with a bonus cleaning brush made especially for the straw.
5. Everyday versatility
A useful cup should fit naturally into your family’s routine. Consider whether it is suitable for both water and milk, whether it can handle everyday drops, and whether it will still be useful once the lid is no longer needed.
Why choose a sippy cup with a straw?
A sippy cup straw can be a practical bridge between bottle and open-cup drinking. The straw allows children to practise drawing liquid into their mouth while holding the cup in a comfortable position.
Our flexible silicone straw is soft and comfortable for little mouths. When your child is ready for the next step, remove the lid and straw and use the base as a regular open cup - there is no need to purchase an entirely new cup.
Every child learns differently, so allow time for spills and experimentation. Keep practice relaxed, offer the cup regularly at meals, and supervise your child while they drink.
Can you put milk in a sippy cup?
Yes, the Creative Play Resources sippy cup can be used for water or milk. If you use the sippy cup for milk, wash the cup, lid and straw soon after use so milk residue does not remain inside the straw or around the lid.
The included straw brush makes it easier to clean inside the straw. You can also place the cup in the dishwasher. We recommend using a fragrance-free dishwashing liquid because silicone can absorb strong scents and flavours.
As a general mealtime habit, offer milk with meals rather than allowing a child to carry or sip from the cup continuously throughout the day. Speak with your child’s health professional if you need individual advice about drinks, feeding or dental care.
Sippy cup stages: from first sips to an open cup
Rather than treating age ranges as strict deadlines, follow your child’s readiness and give them plenty of supervised opportunities to practise.
From 8 months: exploring a sippy cup straw
Start with a small amount of water while your baby is seated upright. They may chew the straw, tip the cup or need help at first. This is all part of learning how the cup works.
As confidence grows: independent straw drinking
With practice, your child can begin holding the cup and drinking with less help. The soft silicone body is comfortable to grip and durable enough for everyday toddler life.
Toddler years and beyond: transitioning to an open cup
Once your child is ready, remove the lid and straw. The cup then becomes a simple 180ml open cup that can continue to be used for water, milk or other family-approved drinks.
This two-in-one approach helps reduce the collection of single-stage cups, lids and mismatched pieces that can quickly take over the kitchen cupboard.
How to help your child learn to use a sippy cup
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Begin with a small amount of water to keep early spills manageable.
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Offer the cup while your child is seated upright at the table or in their highchair.
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Show them how the straw works by modelling sipping from your own cup.
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Keep the experience relaxed and let them explore without pressure.
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Offer regular, short opportunities to practise.
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Always supervise babies and young children while eating and drinking.
If your child finds drinking difficult or you have concerns about feeding or development, seek personalised advice from a suitable health professional.
How to clean a silicone sippy cup
Good cleaning is especially important when using a sippy cup for milk.
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Separate the cup, lid and straw after each use.
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Rinse the pieces promptly, especially after milk.
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Use the included brush to clean inside the straw.
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Hand wash with warm water and fragrance-free dishwashing liquid, or place the pieces on the top rack of the dishwasher.
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Allow every part to dry completely before reassembling or storing.
Silicone can sometimes hold strong detergent scents. A mild, fragrance-free detergent helps keep each drink tasting fresh and neutral.
Why parents love our silicone sippy cup
Designed in Australia by a mum and teacher, our sippy cup balances child-friendly design with the practical details families need every day.
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Suitable from 8 months and beyond
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Use with the soft silicone straw or as an open cup
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Made from 100% food-grade silicone
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BPA, PVC and phthalate free
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Independently tested
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Soft, durable and unbreakable
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180ml capacity for toddler-sized drinks
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Dishwasher and microwave safe
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Includes a bonus straw-cleaning brush
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Available in Pink Cotton Candy, Blue Ocean Breeze and White Vanilla Cream
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Presented in plastic-free, gift-ready packaging
A sippy cup made to last beyond one stage
The move from bottle to cup does not happen overnight. There may be spills, chewed straws and plenty of trial and error along the way. Choosing a simple sippy cup that can adapt with your child helps make that transition easier.
The Creative Play Resources Silicone Sippy Cup with Straw begins as a soft straw cup for first sips. When your child is ready, it transforms into an open cup for the toddler years and beyond - making it one practical cup your family can keep reaching for.
Shop the Silicone Sippy Cup with Straw
Frequently asked questions
What age is a sippy cup suitable for?
The Creative Play Resources silicone sippy cup is designed for children from 8 months and beyond. Readiness differs between children, so begin when your baby can sit upright and always supervise them while drinking.
Is a straw sippy cup better than a spout?
Families may choose different cup styles depending on their child’s needs and preferences. A sippy cup with straw is a useful option because it supports independent drinking and can make the transition away from a bottle feel manageable. Our removable design also lets children progress to open-cup drinking using the same cup.
Can I use a sippy cup for milk?
Yes. You can use our sippy cup for milk or water. When serving milk, take the lid and straw apart and clean every component promptly after use.
Can toddlers use this sippy cup as they get older?
Yes. Remove the lid and straw to turn it into an open cup. Its 180ml size remains practical for toddlers and older children, helping the cup stay useful beyond the early sippy stage.
Is the silicone sippy cup easy to clean?
Yes. It is dishwasher safe, and a cleaning brush is included to reach inside the straw. A fragrance-free dishwashing liquid is recommended to prevent silicone from absorbing strong scents.
Is the sippy cup spill-proof?
The fitted lid helps reduce everyday spills while the cup is upright and being used normally, but no straw cup should be described as completely spill-proof. Liquid may escape through the straw if the cup is tipped, shaken or dropped.
