Sippy cups make the move from bottle to regular cup easier. But because they’re so good at preventing spills, many children use them well into the toddler years, and “baby bottle cavities” are becoming more common in children ages two to five.
When to use one
Introduce a sippy cup when your child can first hold it, and stop once they can manage a regular cup, usually around one year.
Sippy cup do’s and don’ts
- Do fill it with water whenever possible.
- Don’t let your child sip all day. Take the cup away when they’re done.
- Don’t let your child take a sippy cup to bed unless it contains water.
- Don’t use a sippy cup of sugary drink to comfort an upset child.
- Do rinse it often with water.
- Do save sugary drinks for mealtimes, when there’s more saliva.
How sippy cups lead to decay
The cup isn’t the problem. What’s in it is. Breast milk, formula, juice, soda and sweetened water all contain sugar. Sippy cups release a little at a time, so sugar constantly washes over the teeth, and bacteria turn it into enamel-weakening acid. Cavities can form between teeth where they’re hard to see, so regular checkups are the best way to catch them.
Choosing a sippy cup
The American Dental Association suggests:
- Avoid “no-spill” valves. They release only tiny amounts, keeping sugar in the mouth longer, and don’t teach real sipping.
- Choose a spout with a snap-on or screw-on lid, which builds good drinking habits.
- Pick two handles. Big-kid cups need two hands, so it’s a good habit to start early.