Whether you’re a first-time parent or welcoming another child into the family, helping your baby adjust to new milestones can be both exciting and a little challenging. One of those milestones is moving from breastfeeding or bottle-feeding to using a training cup—a key step in building independence.
When looking for the best option, it is best to consider your child’s developmental stage to decide between the different kinds of training cups. In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know, including our top 10 recommendations and expert tips from pediatrician Dr. Joey Cuayo-Estanislao to help make the transition easier for you and your baby.
Quick List - Top Training Cups
Child Care
Locally Made, BPA-Free, and Lightweight Training Cup
Dr. Joanna Pamela Cuayo-Estanislao is a pediatrician and child health specialist based in Metro Manila. Doc Joey is passionate about health education and empowering families to become informed advocates of their children's health and wellness. She uses social media to educate and raise awareness about important issues and topics in the field of pediatrics and child care.
Patricia is a versatile writer with an interest in food, lifestyle, travel, and sports. She also writes articles and does social media work as a volunteer of a media organization that covers collegiate sports leagues in the Philippines. During her free time, she enjoys binge-watching her favorite shows, attending sporting events, and sometimes, traveling.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
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At 6 months, babies often display signs they’re ready for cup training—like holding their head up, sitting steadily, and showing interest in food. These cues mean it’s safe to start!
Babies can start using training cups around 6 months old, since at this age, they can usually hold and tilt a cup, begin eating solid foods, and start sipping small amounts of water or milk during meals. Introducing a cup at this stage supports healthy oral development and helps prevent prolonged bottle use, which can lead to tooth decay and delayed weaning.
Weaning strategies vary, so I recommend consulting your pediatrician. Go slow and stay consistent, with the goal to be off the bottle by 18 months—or earlier if possible!
One of the best ways to encourage and spark their interest in using cups is to do modeling. Show them that you’re drinking from a cup before you let them try!
Babies should start with open cups (with adult assistance), as this supports better oral development and is more beneficial to learn early compared to sippy or straw cups.
Open cups help babies strengthen their mouth muscles, which is important for drinking, eating, and speaking as they grow. They also improve hand-eye coordination as babies practice holding the cup, lifting it, and sipping.
This type also lowers the risk of tooth decay since open cups avoid the constant sucking seen with bottles or sippy cups. While spills are part of the learning process, starting with an open cup early helps build your baby’s confidence and independence.
It is also recommended to use soft, flexible open cups that babies can gently squeeze to fit their mouths more comfortably.
Transitioning to sippy, straw, or spout cups helps babies drink on their own, improve mouth control, and reduce spills as they get ready for regular cups.
Once your baby has mastered an open cup, the next step is to introduce soft-straw or spout cups to continue supporting oral development. Straw cups help strengthen tongue and lip movements, which are important for speech, while spout cups allow for more controlled sipping. Around this stage, it’s also a good time to start phasing out bottles, to help your baby comfortably use straw or spout cups by 18 months.
Keep in mind that prolonged use of sippy cups may increase the risk of tooth decay, dental problems, speech issues, and potential delays in oral motor skill development.
Silicone and stainless steel cups are safer, more reliable choices as they are free from harmful chemicals, durable, and easy to clean, offering peace of mind for parents.
Going for BPA-free materials such as silicone, plastic, stainless steel, or glass for a training cup is the safest option for your baby, as they are more sensitive to toxins. Regardless of the material you choose, make sure it’s durable enough to withstand frequent drops, especially as babies develop their grip strength.
For babies and younger kids, starting with soft, flexible silicone cups is ideal since they’re gentle on sensitive gums and teeth. Just ensure the cups are firm enough that babies with growing teeth can’t easily bite off pieces and choke. As your child’s grip and motor skills improve, you can introduce sturdier options like stainless steel or glass.
Leak-proof cups are perfect for minimizing mess, making them ideal for both home and travel. Since babies often drop cups due to limited grip strength, these designs prevent spills when that happens. Many leak-proof cups also have handles, which help build fine motor skills and encourage independence by allowing babies to drink on their own.
If your baby's grip strength is still developing, choose cups with easy-to-hold, ergonomic handles. Some models even offer removable handles as your baby gains more confidence in holding the cup independently.
Cups with removable parts make cleaning quicker and more efficient. Open cups are the easiest to clean, while cups with straws or spouts can be trickier due to small parts and hard-to-reach areas. The lids, straws, spouts, and valves should come apart easily for thorough cleaning and to prevent mold buildup. Regardless of the cup type, it’s essential to clean it after every use.
For healthy babies 6 months and older with no other health concerns, sterilizing cups isn’t necessary (unless it’s the first use). Just make sure to clean them thoroughly after each use!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Suitable For (Age Group) | Type | BPA-Free | Leak-Proof | Removable Parts | Additional Features | |||||
1 | Child Care Training Cup for Toddler With Handle | ![]() | Locally Made, BPA-Free, and Lightweight Training Cup | 18 Months and Up | Sippy Cup | Ergonomic Handles、Flip-Top Lid | ||||
2 | Philips Avent Straw Cup | ![]() | Supports Healthy Oral Development Through a Bendy Straw | 12 Months and Up | Straw Cup | Flip-Top Lid、Dishwasher-Safe | ||||
3 | BabyPro Training Cup | ![]() | Say Goodbye to Messes With This Spill-Proof, Baby-Friendly Cup | 18 Months and Up | Sippy Cup | Ergonomic Handles、Spout Cover、Can Withstand High Temperature (Up to 80 °C) | ||||
4 | Nuby Grip N' Sip Spout Cup | ![]() | Pressure-Sensitive Spout Lets Babies Drink Comfortably From Any Angle | 4 Months and Up | Sippy Cup | Ergonomic Handles、Silicone Spout | ||||
5 | Fisher Price Training Cup 2 Handle | ![]() | Comes With a Flexible Rim for Easy Teat-to-Cup Transition | 6 Months and Up | Open Cup | Ergonomic Handles、Dishwasher-Safe、Soft Drinking Edge | ||||
6 | Pur Multi-Grasp Drinking Cup | ![]() | Made for Tiny Hands With Triple Easy-Grip Handles | 6 Months and Up | Sippy Cup | Ergonomic Handles、Silicone Spout、Spout Cover | ||||
7 | Oxo Tot Grow Soft Spout Cup | ![]() | Features Removable Handles and Parts That Adapt as Your Child Grows | 4 Months and Up | Sippy Cup | Ergonomic Handles、Dishwasher-Safe、Silicone Spout、Interchangeable Design、Flip-Top Lid | ||||
8 | Tommee Tipee Weighted Straw Cup | ![]() | Supports Spill-Free Sipping With a Weighted Straw and Gentle Flow | 6 Months and Up | Straw Cup | Ergonomic Handles、Flip-Top Lid | ||||
9 | Munchkin Miracle Miracle 360° Cup | ![]() | Spoutless 360° Cup That Lets Baby Sip From Any Side | 6 Months and Up | Open Cup | Ergonomic Handles、Dishwasher-Safe、Soft Drinking Edge | ||||
10 | Hegen All-Rounder Cup | ![]() | Comes in a Unique Squround Shape for Better Grip and Storage | 12 Months and Up | Open Cup | Press-to-Close、Twist-to-Open Lid、Soft Drinking Edge |
Suitable For (Age Group) | 18 Months and Up |
---|---|
Type | Sippy Cup |
BPA-Free | |
Leak-Proof | |
Removable Parts | |
Additional Features | Ergonomic Handles、Flip-Top Lid |
Suitable For (Age Group) | 12 Months and Up |
---|---|
Type | Straw Cup |
BPA-Free | |
Leak-Proof | |
Removable Parts | |
Additional Features | Flip-Top Lid、Dishwasher-Safe |
Suitable For (Age Group) | 18 Months and Up |
---|---|
Type | Sippy Cup |
BPA-Free | |
Leak-Proof | |
Removable Parts | |
Additional Features | Ergonomic Handles、Spout Cover、Can Withstand High Temperature (Up to 80 °C) |
Suitable For (Age Group) | 4 Months and Up |
---|---|
Type | Sippy Cup |
BPA-Free | |
Leak-Proof | |
Removable Parts | |
Additional Features | Ergonomic Handles、Silicone Spout |
Suitable For (Age Group) | 6 Months and Up |
---|---|
Type | Open Cup |
BPA-Free | |
Leak-Proof | |
Removable Parts | |
Additional Features | Ergonomic Handles、Dishwasher-Safe、Soft Drinking Edge |
Suitable For (Age Group) | 6 Months and Up |
---|---|
Type | Sippy Cup |
BPA-Free | |
Leak-Proof | |
Removable Parts | |
Additional Features | Ergonomic Handles、Silicone Spout、Spout Cover |
Suitable For (Age Group) | 4 Months and Up |
---|---|
Type | Sippy Cup |
BPA-Free | |
Leak-Proof | |
Removable Parts | |
Additional Features | Ergonomic Handles、Dishwasher-Safe、Silicone Spout、Interchangeable Design、Flip-Top Lid |
Suitable For (Age Group) | 6 Months and Up |
---|---|
Type | Straw Cup |
BPA-Free | |
Leak-Proof | |
Removable Parts | |
Additional Features | Ergonomic Handles、Flip-Top Lid |
Suitable For (Age Group) | 6 Months and Up |
---|---|
Type | Open Cup |
BPA-Free | |
Leak-Proof | |
Removable Parts | |
Additional Features | Ergonomic Handles、Dishwasher-Safe、Soft Drinking Edge |
Suitable For (Age Group) | 12 Months and Up |
---|---|
Type | Open Cup |
BPA-Free | |
Leak-Proof | |
Removable Parts | |
Additional Features | Press-to-Close、Twist-to-Open Lid、Soft Drinking Edge |
Know more about training cups as Dr. Joanna Cuayo answers some frequently asked questions.
Ideally, babies should be weaned from using sippy cups when they reach 2 years old. Prolonged sippy cup use can increase the risk of tooth decay, dental issues, and speech delays due to limited oral motor development.
Start by guiding your baby to drink slowly from an open cup, as it's easier to control than a straw. I really don’t recommend going for straws right away when your little one is still learning to drink from a vessel that isn’t a bottle (or your breast). When they’re a little older and better at drinking from a cup, introducing a straw should be easier.
Yes, training cups can be used for any liquids or drinks.
For babies under a year old, their only beverages should be breast milk or formula, with a limited amount of water. Water intake should be kept to less than 100-120ml a day, as their still-developing kidneys may not process water that well yet.
For children aged 1 year and older, water or milk is preferable, with limited juice intake. Ideally, no juice should be given before age 2, and only small amounts of fresh fruit juice should be introduced thereafter (whole fruit is still the best option).
Being fully-equipped with items related to feeding your baby is a must to take away all the hassle. See the best baby bottles, baby high chairs, silicone bibs, and suction plates through the links below. From now on, mealtimes with your babies can be made easier with these products!
10 Best Baby Bottles in the Philippines 2025 | Buying Guide Reviewed by a Pediatrician
10 Best Baby High Chairs in the Philippines 2025 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Pediatrician
10 Best Silicone Bibs in the Philippines 2025 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Pediatrician
10 Best Suction Plates for Babies in the Philippines 2025 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Pediatrician
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Child Care |Training Cup for Toddler With Handle
No. 2: Philips Avent |Straw Cup
No. 3: BabyPro |Training Cup
No. 4: Nuby |Grip N' Sip Spout Cup
No. 5: Fisher Price |Training Cup 2 Handle
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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