Your guide to choosing the right cup for your baby or toddler
Choosing a drinking cup sounds simple… until you realise there are so many options. This guide helps you pick the right drinking cup for each age and stage, from those first little sips to big-kid school days.
Quick answer: From around 4–6 months, babies can start with a sippy cup alongside solids. From 6 months, a 360° cup. From 9 months, a straw cup. From 2 years, a 350ml drinking bottle and 500ml from age 3. The right cup changes as your child grows, because each cup type supports different skills at different stages. What learning to drink actually teachesWhen your baby is learning to drink from a cup, they're not just learning to drink from a cup. They're building:
- fine motor skills: holding, tipping and controlling the flow
- hand-eye coordination: getting the rim to their mouth, over and over
- oral motor skills: lips sealing, tongue moving naturally, jaw getting stronger
- independence & confidence: the proud “I did it!” moment that leads to more confidence
- healthy habits: water breaks become second nature
Different cups support different skills at different stages. That's why age recommendations exist, not as strict rules, but as friendly guideposts for what your child is ready to explore next.
Age-by-age drinking cup guide
± 4-6 months: sippy cup
When babies start solids, many are ready to explore small sips of water too. A sippy cup with handles is a gentle first step because it feels familiar. Your baby already knows how to suck, and a spout helps bridge that gap as they learn to sip, tip and control the flow.Materials tip: silicone feels extra soft for gums if your baby loves to chew, while Tritan™ is lightweight, clear and built for everyday tumbles.
best for: first cup practice • small water breaks • at the table
from 6 months: 360° cup
Around 6 months, many babies sit steadier, grip stronger and have serious "I want to do it myself" energy. A 360° cup is a brilliant fit for this stage because it mimics drinking from an open cup, but with far fewer spills. As they drink from the rim, they practise sealing their lips and controlling the flow with better coordination.Choose a model with a cap if you want it to travel beyond the high chair.
best for: open-cup practice • fewer spills • at home or on the go
from 9 months: straw cup
From around 9 months, many babies are ready for a straw cup. Drinking through a straw strengthens the cheeks and tongue, supports speech development and improves swallowing. It’s a great preparation for open-cup drinking later on.It's also wonderfully portable for life on the go: nursery runs, buggy walks, park adventures and everything in between.
best for: independent sipping • straw skills • at home or on the go
from 2 years: 350ml drinking bottle
By 2, most toddlers are confident drinkers and want to choose their favourite bottle to take along with them. The 350ml size is a sweet spot. It's enough for preschool and short outings, in a size that still fits little hands comfortably. Leak-proof and durable, it’s made for busy days.
best for: preschool • shorter outings • everyday adventures
from 3 years: 500ml drinking bottle
By 3, your child is off on bigger adventures, and their cup should keep up. A 500ml bottle is the right companion for school days, outdoor play and everything in between. It's enough to keep them hydrated through the day without constant refills. And children learn to manage it themselves: filling it up, closing the lid, popping it in their bag.
best for: school • longer days out • bigger adventures
