Training Cups for Babies & Toddlers: When to Start, Types & Tips

A training cup usually makes sense from around 6 months – for practicing small sips, not for competitive sports.

Ulli & Flo

Owners of bieco · Hamburg · parents ourselves

What we learned when we started with cups: less in the cup means more peace. And if it spills, at least it was only water – that’s a small victory too. Feel free to browse our Water Bottles collection.

If you’re currently juggling the start of solids, bibs and “why is it everywhere again?”: you’re not alone. Here you’ll get a relaxed overview of cup types, a step-by-step guide for making the switch, and very practical criteria, so you don’t end up buying five models and then falling back on the kitchen towel as a permanent solution.

And yes: it’s allowed to spill – that’s not a bug, that’s learning. We keep things relaxed and practical here, the North German way.

Training cups: what exactly are they?

A training cup is a practice cup for the transition from bottle to regular cup.

It can be open (like a mini cup) or come with an attachment, for example a drinking rim, a straw or a spout. Some models are as leak-proof as possible, others are deliberately “learning-friendly” and let a little more through.

A free-flow cup is a cup without a valve, where liquid flows freely. This helps many children practice drinking as from a regular cup, instead of staying in “sucking” mode for good.

From what age? Guidance by age and signs

Many babies can practice their first sips from a cup from around 6 months.

According to the British NHS, babies can be introduced to a cup/beaker from around 6 months and offered small sips of water with meals; an open or free-flow cup without a valve helps with learning and is better for teeth (NHS).

The CDC also states that children can begin learning to eat and drink from a cup “around 6 months”, referring to recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (CDC).

More important than the exact age are the “ready” signs.

• Your baby can sit upright (with support) and hold their head steady.
• They reach for things on purpose and bring them to their mouth.
• They watch you drink and want some “too!” (little spies, big ambitions).

What types of training cups are there? (With pros and cons)

The best type of cup is the one your child can hold safely and you can clean easily.

Open cup (mini cup)

An open cup is the most direct practice for drinking like “the big kids”.

• Pros: Your child learns dosing, lip closure and swallowing in a very “real” way.
• Cons: Almost always spills at first.
• Best for: Home, at the table, with calm guidance.

Free-flow cup (no valve)

Free-flow is often the best compromise between learning and less sucking.

• Pros: Closer to an open cup, often less of a “sucking habit”.
• Cons: Not completely leak-proof; not much fun in a diaper bag.
• Best for: Everyday life at home, when you don’t want to keep wiping up “lakes”.

360° cup

A 360° cup lets your child drink from anywhere around the rim and is often fairly spill-resistant.

• Pros: Practical, because drinking from the rim resembles a regular cup; often popular on the go.
• Cons: Depending on the model, more parts; cleaning can be fiddlier.
• Best for: Families looking for an “in-between step”.

Straw cup

A straw cup is super practical on the go, as long as it’s easy to clean.

• Pros: Many children get the hang of it quickly; often more relaxed in the car or stroller.
• Cons: The straw and valves really need thorough cleaning.
• Best for: Outings, daycare, longer trips.

Sippy cup (spout cup)

A sippy cup can be a starting point, but it isn’t always the final stop.

• Pros: Some children accept it more easily than an open/free-flow cup.
• Cons: Depending on the valve, it may encourage sucking more than “cup drinking”.
• Best for: As a transition when nothing else works.

Comparison table: cup type, age, pros, cons, cleaning

A table saves your nerves – especially when you’re reading one-handed.

Checklist: how to find the right training cup

If you check these five points, you’ll almost never go wrong.

1. Posture: Can your child sit steadily (with support) and hold their head well?
2. Grip & shape: Does the cup fit in small hands, and does it not slip away right off?
3. Drinking principle: Would you rather practice toward open/free-flow, or do you first need “spill-resistant”?
4. Cleaning: Can you take everything apart, see it and reach it (including the straw area)?
5. Everyday life: At home it can be learning-friendly, on the go rather leak-proof and sturdy.

Materials guide: plastic, silicone, stainless steel – what matters in everyday life?

The best material is the one that is safe, easy to care for and honestly labeled.

In family life, the perfect brochure sentence matters less than this: if it falls on the floor, does it survive? Does it survive the dishwasher (if permitted)? And does it still smell neutral after three days?

• Plastic: Light and shatterproof, often good for small hands. Look for clear manufacturer information on material and care.
• Silicone (e.g. mouthpieces/seals): Pleasantly soft, but seals are wear parts and need good cleaning.
• Stainless steel: Sturdy and long-lasting, popular for water bottles; for cups, construction and seals are what count.

For context: on December 19, 2024, the European Commission adopted a ban on bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact materials (European Commission), based on the EFSA risk assessment (EFSA).

And from our corner as a Hamburg family business: transparency beats marketing. We’ve been doing this for 66 years – and when material, care and test information are clear, you simply sleep more soundly as a parent.

How to make the switch: step by step (no pressure, with a towel)

The fastest way is to practice briefly every day – and stay kindly stubborn.

1. Start with water at mealtimes: According to the NHS, small sips of water with meals from around 6 months are a good start (NHS).
2. Choose one cup type for home first: An open or free-flow cup is often ideal for learning.
3. Show how it’s done (briefly and without a show): One sip, set it down, smile. Babies are copy machines.
4. Help with holding: Place your hands over/around your child’s hands so the angle is right.
5. Mini amounts, mini time: 1–2 minutes is enough at first. Then stop before it tips over (in their head or in the cup).
6. Stick with the system: Not a new model every day. Otherwise your child has to learn from scratch each time.
7. Increase slowly: If it goes well, a bit more in the cup. If not, go back to less – that’s fine-tuning, not a step backward.

Which drinks go in a training cup?

For practicing, water is usually the most relaxed choice.

Especially at the beginning, it’s less about “amount” and more about coordination: closing the lips, tilting, swallowing, breathing. Water is forgiving, doesn’t get sticky and makes cleaning easier. Once you use other drinks, hygiene becomes more important – especially with valves and straws.

Cleaning & hygiene: so the cup doesn’t turn into a biotope safari

A good training cup can be taken apart completely and cleaned thoroughly.

• Few parts, clearly visible: The fewer hidden corners, the better.
• Straw & valve: Clean regularly with a suitable brush and rinse well.
• Let it dry thoroughly: Moisture in crevices is the best friend of “musty”.
• Dishwasher: Only if the manufacturer allows it; heat can change seals over time.

If you notice you’re annoyed while cleaning: that’s a criterion. A cup that’s “actually great” but always stays fiddly almost always loses to a simpler model in real life.

Typical problems (and what really helps)

If your child refuses the training cup, it’s often about technique, not defiance.

• “My baby just chews on it”: Normal. Keep practice sessions short and try again later. Some children switch from chewing to drinking faster with an open cup.
• “Nothing comes out”: The valve is too tight or your child isn’t quite ready. Try free-flow or 360°.
• “Everything leaks”: Fine at home – that’s learning. For on the go, choose a more leak-proof system.
• “Only the bottle works”: The AAP describes starting with a cup when solid foods begin (often around 6 months) and recommends moving away from the bottle gradually (HealthyChildren.org (AAP)).

Examples of well-known brands: what you can compare neutrally

With every brand, the same criteria count in the end – not the print on the packaging.

Whether you’re looking at a NUK training cup, a Mepal training cup or an Avent training cup: compare fairly by drinking principle (valve yes/no), cleanability, spare parts and everyday practicality. Brands don’t automatically solve the “my child doesn’t want to” problem – but a well-fitting system can make it much easier.

Everyday life & accessories: what really helps (without going overboard)

Sometimes the “right” cup is simply the one that comes along with you.

On the go, leak-proof systems are practical; at home, things can be more learning-friendly. If you want to dig through the topic of thirst quenchers in general: in our Water Bottles overview you’ll find suitable categories. And if you’d like to dive deeper into variants, everyday use and differences: The Best Water Bottles for Kids Compared: Tests & Recommendations complements the topic well.

If you’re looking for easy cleaning with cups, a small cleaning brush for your household is often worth it too. Not glamorous, but very effective – like a good can opener.

FAQ

Which training cup is good for teeth?

Open or free-flow cups are often considered more tooth-friendly, because they are closer to “normal” drinking. According to the NHS, an open or free-flow cup without a valve can help with learning and is better for teeth than prolonged sucking on a bottle or sippy cup (NHS).

From what age can a baby use a straw cup?

Many children manage a straw cup from around 6–9 months (depending on development). What matters is less the date on the calendar than coordination: sitting, reaching on purpose, oral motor skills. If your child only chews or gets frustrated, try again later or practice in parallel with an open/free-flow cup.

How much water from 6 months?

To start, small sips of water with meals are enough. The NHS recommends offering small amounts of water with meals from around 6 months (NHS). The amount develops along with solid foods – at the beginning it’s mainly about practicing.

Which is better: a 360° cup or a free-flow cup?

Free-flow is often closer to “real” drinking, while 360° is often more spill-resistant. If you practice at home and learning progress matters more than leak-proofing, free-flow is often a good choice. If you want an in-between step or are out and about a lot, 360° can be more relaxed.

How do I get a straw cup properly clean?

It’s best to take it completely apart, rinse it warm and clean the straw with a brush. Let all parts dry well before reassembling. If something smells musty, “take apart, clean thoroughly, dry completely” usually helps. With valves, it’s worth taking an extra look into small crevices.

How long should a child use a training cup?

As briefly as necessary, as long as helpful – with the goal of moving toward a regular cup. The AAP describes starting with a cup when solid foods begin and gradually moving away from the bottle (HealthyChildren.org (AAP)). Many families use training cups as a transition and practice with an open cup in parallel.

Bottom line: a training cup isn’t a competition but a learning tool – and learning is allowed to spill. If you’d like to look at everyday-friendly companions, feel free to browse our Water Bottles overview or keep reading with our comparison of kids’ water bottles.