Silicone Starter Cup vs Straw Cup: Which Comes First?
By Bumkins | Published: 2026-11-01
Category: Buying Guides
Compare an open silicone starter cup and a straw cup with lid for your baby's first sips. Learn which one to introduce first and when to switch.
Quick answer
Start with the Silicone Starter Cup if your baby is just beginning to sip from an open cup and you want the simplest first step. Choose the Silicone Straw Cup with Lid when your child is ready for more independence or you need a spill-resistant option for outings.
Why the open cup comes first for most babies
An open cup teaches the real mechanics of drinking: tilting, sipping, and setting the cup down. The Silicone Starter Cup holds just two ounces, so a small spill is manageable and your baby can practice without a large volume of liquid. Its sloped interior helps control flow, which matters when your baby is still learning to coordinate sips.
The trade-off is mess. An open cup will tip, and that is part of learning. If you are not ready for frequent cleanups or you need a cup for travel, a straw cup may be more practical at first.
When a straw cup makes more sense
Straw drinking uses different mouth muscles than open-cup drinking, and some babies take to it quickly. The Silicone Straw Cup with Lid works as a spill-resistant toddler sippy cup with a coffee-style spout, or as a straw cup with an angled straw and built-in stopper. That flexibility means you can adjust the drinking method as your child's skills change.
However, a straw cup does not teach the open-cup motion. If your goal is to prepare your baby for a regular cup at mealtimes, you will still want to practice with an open cup eventually.
The case for using both from the start
You do not have to pick one forever. Many families offer the open cup at home during calm mealtimes and use the straw cup for outings or when a spill would be inconvenient. This gives your baby practice with both skills without making either one stressful.
Keep the open-cup sessions short and offer only a small amount of liquid. Use the straw cup when you are on the go or when you want to avoid a mess in the car or stroller.
Decision rules for your first cup
- If your baby is 6–12 months and just starting solids: Begin with the Silicone Starter Cup during meals. Offer a small amount of water or breast milk and expect spills. Practice for a few minutes at a time. Keep a cloth nearby and refill only when your baby is calm and seated.
- If your baby already drinks from a bottle and you want to transition: Try the Silicone Starter Cup first to teach open-cup drinking, then introduce the Silicone Straw Cup with Lid for outings or when you need a spill-resistant option. Do not replace all bottles at once; use the cup at one meal to start.
- If you need a cup for travel or daycare: Choose the Silicone Straw Cup with Lid. Its lid and straw options make it more practical when you cannot supervise every sip. Check that the lid is fully sealed before packing it in a bag.
- If your child refuses the open cup: Switch to the straw cup for a week, then offer the open cup again during a relaxed meal. Some babies need more time with one method before trying the other. Offer the open cup when your child is not hungry or tired.
Product facts
- Silicone Starter Cup: Pink: Two-ounce open cup with textured ridges and a sloped interior. The small size and controlled flow make it easier for little hands to grip and for babies to learn sips without a big spill.
Silicone Starter Cup: Pink - Silicone Straw Cup with Lid: Sage: Straw cup with lid that works as a spill-resistant sippy cup with a sloped interior or as a straw cup with an angled straw and built-in stopper. You can switch between spout and straw as your child's skills grow, which extends the cup's usefulness.
Silicone Straw Cup with Lid: Sage
Who each cup fits
Best for
- Babies 6–12 months who are learning to sip from an open cup
- Parents who want a simple, low-cost first cup for practice at home
Not for
- Travel or daycare where spills are a concern
- Babies who already drink well from a straw and need a larger capacity cup
