The problem here is two-fold: Sippy cups allow on-demand access to calorie-laden beverages like juice and milk, which dampen a child’s appetite by throwing off their feeding patterns. “I would caution parents to the overuse of sippy cups, and weigh the benefits of independence over the real risks of cavities, speech delays, and sabotaging meal times.” Are Sippy Cups Bad for Kids? “Dentists, pediatricians, speech therapists, and occupational therapists all agree that sippy cups serve more to keep parents’ floors clean than as an actual necessary part of child development,” says Melissa Foster, a pediatric occupational therapist in Arkansas. This is when baby sippy cups tend to become part of the equation. The reasoning behind this is to prevent tooth decay that can occur when children’s teeth are exposed to milk sugars for long periods of time. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends transitioning away from the bottle when an infant is a year old. But over-reliance can lead to very real problems with a kid’s dental health, speech development, and eating habits. So when should you introduce a sippy cup? Is a cup with a straw developmentally appropriate? Which sippy cups are best for babies versus toddlers? Are sippy cups bad for teeth? Are sippy cups just bad overall? The results are in, and baby sippy cups may not be dangerous - if used in moderation.

Many parents worry that sippy cups pose a threat to their child’s development, and there is a basis to this concern. But for every sticky crisis averted, there’s the question of whether the sippy cup was worth it. Baby sippy cups can prevent spills, sure.

Nuk hard spout sippy cup