Join Katie Pratley, Paediatric Speech Pathologist to learn about what to look for in the best baby cup for Baby-Led Weaning.
At Grabease, we're all about making independent feeding easier for families. That's why we create innovative products made for a baby's current and developing skillsets. But, don't just take our word for it, we asked paediatric speech pathologist, Katie Pratley to weigh in on what parents should consider when making their baby's first cup choice.
According to Katie, three key features are essential for supporting your baby’s oral motor development:
- The option for both open cup and straw drinking,
- A valve-free straw, and
- The absence of a sippy spout
According to Katie, features to look for in a baby cup:
With so many cups on the market it can feel overwhelming when it comes to deciding on which one to purchase.
To help make it easier, I encourage parents to look for a three key features.
The first feature to consider is, can the cup be used as open cup as well as a straw cup? I opt for cups that offer both of these features because they support the development of skills that we will use throughout our lives. To start, little ones will need lots of help to drink from an open cup, but with time and practice they will develop mature swallowing pattens which enables them to sip and swallow with minimal spillage. Drinking from a straw is another skill we hold onto throughout our lives, so it's great to practice this early on too. I also find that a straw is a great feature during the 'I do it myself phase', because it prevents them from tipping the entire contents on themselves, whilst still promoting mature swallowing patterns.
The second feature to consider, is the straw valve-free? Valve-free straws eliminate the need to bite and suck at the same time. Valved straws reduce spills and mess, but they require children to learn another way of drinking, one that we don't use later in life.
The third feature to consider, is does the cup have a sippy spout? Spouts like bottles, reinforce infant swallowing patterns. Sippy spouts rest on the tip of the tongue, which means that the tongue is not able to elevate. The mature swallow requires elevation of the tongue to the bumpy ridge behind the front teeth and employs a wave-like motion to propel food and liquid. For this reason, I opt for cups without spouts.
The Grabease 3 in 1 cup ticks all three of my feature boxes and has a few more that I consider bonuses! I love that the cup is clear so little ones can see the liquid move, this provides visual feedback. I also love the size of the cup, it's perfect for little hands.
About the Author
Katie Pratley, Bsc (Speech Pathology), has 10 years experience as a paediatric speech pathologist. Katie is passionate about early intervention and the key role parents play in this.
Since becoming a mother, Katie has developed an interest in feeding and mealtimes as she navigates these with her one year old. Katie is eager to share her knowledge and first hand experience as a mother to support and empower other parents. You can follow Katie on Instagram @speaking.of.talking for all things play, language and mealtimes. |