Disclaimer: Hello, I thought I would write some posts about products I like and use in therapy. IN FULL DISCLOSURE– I have links here as an amazon affiliate which give me a very small amount (usually a few cents) if you purchase from amazon through my blog. This helps me fund this blog which I am committed to keeping free and accessible. I have an amazon store here but they no longer allow pictures of the products so you will see the same products and links there but no pics! Thank you for considering this as way to support my blog. I will have this disclaimer in yellow at the top of the product posts so if this is not of interest, please skip over this post! Therapists- if I missed a cup you like please send me an email and I will add to the list (feedingnewsletter@gmail.com).
Straw Cups– I like to use straw cups when transitioning from bottle or breast to a cup, if a child is tube weaning and interested in sucking, transitioning from a sippy cup, or when a child is primarily using a sucking pattern but needs to work on cup drinking. These are some of my favorites.
TalkTools Honey Bear Straw Cup
Probably one of the most common cups used in therapy! We use a lot of these in our clinic- this is a 7 oz straw cup with a flexible straw that allows the feeder to squeeze the bear so that liquid goes up the straw. Great cup to teach straw drinking. Straw is slightly narrow, so flow is just right for new drinkers. I like this version with handles. I will also use this cup if a child is being syringe fed as a way to move away from that or needs assisted delivery of liquid. I used just this week to teach a child to drink from a straw! Comes with and without handles, also different colored lids.
https://amzn.to/3JHapNy (handles)
https://amzn.to/3QvGZpr (no handles, peach lid shown)
Munchkin® Any Angle™ Weighted Straw Trainer Cup with Click Lock™ Lid, 7 Ounce, 2 Count (Pack of 1), Blue/Green
I like the weighted straw cups. The straw is flexible. Once a child can drink from the straw the weighted straw end stays in the liquid and makes it easier to drink without having to tip the cup or move the straw. These come in different colors. There are also different brands available.
Amazon Brand – Mama Bear Silicone Weighted Straw Sippy Cup, 9 Ounces, Pack of 2, Blue/Green
A therapist emailed this weighted straw cup and pointed out that she finds this cup better due the fact that it doesn’t leak when properly assembled- it has a locking flow regulator that stops the leaks when turned upside down.
Olababy Silicone Training Cup with Straw Lid | Babies Water Drinking Cup | 6+ Mo Infant To 12-18 Months Toddler
I really like this cup- it is a trainer cup which can be used as a straw cup or can be used as a mini open cup for independent drinking. It has a wide weighted base which adds stability. Straw is silicone.
ez pz Mini Cup + Straw Training System – 100% Silicone Training Cup
This is another well designed trained cup which can be used as a straw cup or open cup. Bumps on the straw help to keep an infants lips on the straw. Weighted base and tactile bumps help with grip and stabilization.
The First Years 7oz Squeeze and Sip Straw Cup – 2pk
A reader emailed me about this straw cup (I have not used this one). She said she loves this cup because you can prime the liquid to the top of the straw, and it seems to have a one way valve where the fluid will sit in the top part of the straw after primed. Super convenient shape and although no handles.
You can buy this at target: https://www.target.com/p/the-first-years-7oz-squeeze-and-sip-straw-cup-2pk/-/A-89229968
Open Cups I like to use an open cup if I am working with a child who has a lot of cup refusal, doesn’t want to suck, or never sucked. I find for some children, this is easier, I teach cup drinking by assisting with the delivery of a sip controlling the flow. Then we work on self feeding with the cup. Tip: thicken the liquid slightly to improve oral control and then thin out as this improves.
Infa Trainer Cup
I have been using this cup for decades. It is a wonderful cup with a slow, medium, and high flow setting which allows for flow control. The wide lip helps with stabilization of the lips and jaw. It holds 3 oz. I like to use this with older infants or young toddlers who are learning to drink from an open cup or who have no interest in sucking on a straw. This is not available on amazon but can be bought at talk tools.
Reflo cup
The reflow cup is another cup we recommend for our kids. It has a clever design, an insert in the cup has cut outs allowing a small amount of liquid to move through. this allowed for a controlled slow flow and when child has mastered the cup, the insert is removed, and you have a regular cup! My only advice with this cup is it is a large cup. It holds 6 oz with insert and 10 oz total. For some of my younger children, the cup itself is large. but overall, I really like this cup for toddlers and older children who benefit from a controlled flow.
https://amzn.to/3y76Rl1 (4 cups)
https://amzn.to/3QvKagu (single cup)
NUK Plastic Sip Trainer Cup, 2-Pack, Blue
This is my new go to slow flow cup for toddlers. It has a valve that dials on the top allowing you to control flow rate. It’s less expensive than the other flow rate cups and has a nice design. Comes in 2 colors.
https://amzn.to/4a47gC2 (blue)
https://amzn.to/3Qzrmgv (purple)
Flexi Nosey Cut-Out Cup
These are another very common therapy cup, almost a staple in feeding therapy. The cut out allows the child or feeder to tip the cup up and prevents the child from having to tilt his/her head back. comes in different sizes. Comes in small, medium, and large, I use the small (pink) the most.
https://amzn.to/4b54Wfw (small)
Doidy Cup
This cup is another one of my favortites! It has a slanted design which helps children drink from the rim without needing to tilt their head back. It also has handles which I really like for children self feeding. I prefer this to the cut out cup but it is more expensive.
https://amzn.to/3Upj2kF (turquoise)
https://amzn.to/3QTsU5p (red)
https://amzn.to/44JbNZL (pink)
https://amzn.to/44rM5sh (yellow)
Small open cup: If I need a simple open cup, I often use plain old medicine cups because we have them in the hospital. I like these also as a kid friendly version. I help the child take small sips and then work on self feeding from the cup. Here are a few different brands.
Olababy First Cup | Clear Sense 100% Silicone Infant Trainer Cup | 2oz Medicine Cup
Babycup Sippeco Mini Open Baby Cup – Perfect for Baby Led Weaning, First Sips and Toddler Training – 50ml Sippy Cup
I like these colorful small early drinking cups.
EZY DOSE Kids Oral Liquid Medicine Spoon For Baby & Toddler
I use a medicine spoon when I need a hybrid between a spoon and cup. If I have already worked on spoon feeding, I can put a small amount of liquid in the medicine spoon, feed like a spoon, and tip up like a cup. It is a great hybrid and then I work my way to the open cup.
Sippy Cups– sippy cups are not typically recommended by therapists. They are temporary and can cause maladaptive oral patterns if used long term.
NUK Learner Cup – 5oz
Therapists do not often recommend sippy cups anymore, and I include myself here. Every once in a while I recommend this sippy cup with a wide base and handles. Sometimes I work with infants and children with low oral tone or craniofacial issues who benefit from a wide based sippy while they are learning to stabilize and drink from the cup. I have used this with success and then over time have been able to move the child to a straw cup.
Cups for Dysphagia or Swallowing Disorders– These 2 items limit the bolus size delivered from the straw or cup which can help some children who aspirate larger boluses. There are 2 cups listed in the open cup section that slow the flow rate and those can be use similarly. Coffee type straw stirrers can also be used in some cases to express a smaller bolus. For caregivers: if you are looking for a slow flow cup or cup for you child with swallowing difficulty, please discuss with your therapist before purchasing. Some of these cups can be very expensive.
Bionix – SafeStraw, Drinking Straw Attachment, Ideal Drinking Aid for Patients with Swallowing Disorders, Safe & Effective, Reusable, Simple & Discreet
This is made for adult but could be used for older children who use a regular straw. SafeStraw is designed for patients with swallowing difficulties, helping to lessen the amount of liquid transferred through the straw in each sip. Limits volume to 6.2 mL per sip. Not for hot or thick liquids.
RiJe Petite Dysphagia Regulating Drinking Cup for Difficulty Swallowing Disorders (5 oz) – Controlled Sips Cup Prevents Aspiration
This cup is designed for individuals with swallowing disorders. It dispenses controlled small sips. Can be used for thin and slightly thick liquids (IDDSI LEVELS 0,1): Controlled swallows can be drunk through a regular straw or from the cups rim with nosey cut-out. For cold and hot fluids. ADJUSTABLE VOLUME: The cup can be preset to deliver 5ml, 8 ml or 12 ml of thin liquids, or at 5ml and 8 ml of slightly thick liquids. The portion volume can be preset before the cup is filled with liquid. Holds up to 150ml of liquid. NOSEY CUP: Features a nose cutout to assist users in drinking without tilting their head back when taking a sip.
What a comprehensive list. Thank you very much.
Debra Blatt MS CCC SLP
Pediatric feeding specialist