When your child graduates to a sippy cup, it can be a delight. She'll feel like a big kid by using a cup, and you'll avoid any issues with spilling. Sippy cups aren't without their downfalls, however. Using them correctly helps avoid the possible pitfalls of this common tool.
Time Frame
Some babies take to sippy cups early and begin using them as early as 5 or 6 months. Other babies take to them at 7 to 9 months. While each child develops at his own pace, most children are ready to start using a sippy cup by the first birthday.
Types
Sippy cups are made of plastic. Some have handles on both sides for easier gripping, which is often preferred for younger babies with less-developed fine motor skills. Others have no handle at all, mimicking a normal cup. All sippy cups have a lid and spout. The spout can be soft and pliable, rigid or in between, depending on the child's preference and age. Most younger children prefer a pliable spout. Some spouts are completely spill-proof when the cup is tipped and require sucking, others slow the liquid to a trickle. Sippy cups can be disposable, meant for limited multiple uses, or designed to be used and washed over and over again.
Warning
Sippy cups have been linked to tooth decay in early childhood, according to the National Institutes of Health. This results from children being given a spill-proof sippy cup and keeping it with them for hours at a time. When the liquid is ingested over a period of time, it can cause tooth decay, unless the liquid is water.
In addition, the process of making plastic more pliable often incorporates the use of phthalates, a potential disruptor to the human reproductive system. The American Chemistry Council notes that the link between phthalates and endocrine issues is not clear. Endocrine disruption is not evidenced in primate studies, though it has been seen in rat studies. Many parents look for sippy cups that are specifically labeled "phthalate-free" to avoid introducing phthalates until the evidence is more clear.
Effects
Child development specialists have noted that overuse of sippy cups might cause a delay in speech development. In particular, speech pathologists suggest that overuse of the sippy cup leads to a lazy tongue and may cause a lisp. The position of the mouth when using a sippy cup leads to an open bite. In turn, this can lead to tongue thrust, which can impact the way a child speaks, Dr. Howard Needleman, a Children's Hospital dentist, told WHDH of Boston in February 2002. Speech pathologists suggest limiting sippy cups to meal times and snack times, but not allowing a child to walk around with a sippy cup, to minimize any potential for speech delays.
Prevention/Solution
While sippy cups help parents, don't overuse them. They are a tool to help your child transition from nursing to more independence. Once your child has mastered the art of putting the cup down without spilling, remove the sippy cup and use a small plastic cup filled with a small amount of liquid. If you're worried about spilling, use small, disposable cups to limit the amount of liquid that can be spilled
