Skip-y the Sippy: Why We Say “No Thanks” to the Sippy Cup

Let’s talk about sippy cups. They’re colorful, spill-proof, and practically a staple in many baby aisles and parenting playbooks.

But here’s the truth: when it comes to your child’s oral and swallowing development, sippy cups might not be doing the favors you think they are.

The Origins of the Sippy (Maybe)

Rumor has it that sippy cups were born not out of science or child development research, but from a very relatable parenting problem: spills. Allegedly, an engineer dad just wanted a mess-free way to let his toddler drink without turning the house into a water park. Did he succeed? Absolutely. But was this invention ever designed with speech, feeding, or oral development in mind? Not really.

And while the story makes for fun trivia, here’s what really matters…

What Speech-Language Pathologists Know (That Most Sippy Cup Labels Won’t Tell You)

We understand the power of the tongue—and how it plays a major role in healthy swallowing, speech development, and even future tooth alignment.

To swallow safely and effectively, the tip of the tongue needs to press against the alveolar ridge—that small band of tissue just behind your top front teeth.

This action helps the tongue create a wave-like motion to move food or drink back toward the throat, and it even helps open the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) so everything goes down smoothly.

Now imagine what happens when a child spends a year or more with their tongue stuck under a hard plastic sippy spout. Over time, the brain and oral muscles adapt. The tongue tip may stop reaching the alveolar ridge and instead press against the lower teeth—leading to poor swallowing patterns and potentially contributing to misaligned teeth or even tongue thrust habits.

Toddler drinking from an open cup.

“But what if my child is typically developing?”

You’re right—many children will be just fine using a sippy cup. But for children with sensory sensitivities, neurodivergence, autism, or developmental delays, sippy cups can be harder to give up. These children may become overly dependent on the comfort and familiarity of a sippy and struggle to transition to more functional drinking methods later on.

Skip-y the Sippy: Why We Say “No Thanks” to the Sippy Cup

So, What’s the Better Path?

We know—it can feel daunting to hand your baby an open cup (cue visions of milk waterfalls). But we promise: this is a skill your baby can learn. And the long-term benefits far outweigh a few weeks of cleanup.

Here’s How to Start:

• Fill the cup to the brim – Seems backwards, right? But a full cup makes it easier for your baby to sense and sip the liquid.

• Model often. Drink from an open cup while baby watches. They’ll likely try to mimic you.

• Share your cup. If you're comfortable, offer sips from your own cup. Babies are expert copycats!

• Practice with water – A great first step is using water at meals or bath time when spills aren’t a big deal.

• Expect mess. It’s part of learning! Use a towel or practice during bath time.

• Check out the ReFlow Dribble Cup. It’s one of our favorite tools. It restricts flow just enough to prevent huge spills and doesn’t get in the way of tongue movement.

• Try straw cups too. These promote a more natural tongue position than sippy lids.

• If you must use a lid, go with a coffee-style lid – Something that lets the liquid flow naturally, encouraging the same oral motor patterns as open cup drinking.

So, Should You Toss All Your Sippy Cups?

Not necessarily! If a sippy helps your family get through a road trip or gives you a break at mealtime—no judgment here. What we recommend is variation. Offer different types of cups throughout the week and let your child explore with your support and guidance.

The Bottom Line: Skip-y the Sippy (When You Can)

We’re not here to shame anyone. If you use a sippy—no judgment! Life gets busy and sometimes convenience wins the day. But if you can vary your baby’s cup experience, especially incorporating open cups and straws, you’re doing their oral development a big favor. If you're able to say “so long” to the sippy as a default, remember that you'll be giving your baby the chance to build confident, functional drinking skills from the start. Let’s raise our (open) cups to building oral motor strength, healthy swallow patterns, and confident, capable little drinkers!

You know your baby best—and we’re here to empower you with information so you can make confident, informed choices that work for your family.

💬 Got questions about Skip-y the Sippy or what cup might work best for your baby? We’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment or send us a message—we’re here to support you every sip of the way. Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear from you.

How did you like our post: Skip-y the Sippy: Why We Say “No Thanks” to the Sippy Cup? Let us know in the comments!

Feeling Overwhelmed? You’re Not Alone

We believe parents should feel empowered, not overwhelmed. If you’ve got questions or want to learn more:

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And remember, early support isn’t just intervention—it’s prevention, empowerment, and connection. And it’s never too early to be curious, ask questions, and seek guidance. We’re here for you, every step of the way. 🍼👣✨

Cheers (with an open cup),

The NewDay Child Coaching Team

Rachel Lynn: Communication and Swallowing/Feeding Guide

Amber Michelle: Physical Development Guide

Amanda Rae: Fine Motor, Sensorimotor, Sensory/Feeding Guide

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