The Issue with Sippy Cups
While sippy cups aren’t inherently bad, a prolonged use can cause malocclusion (crooked teeth), dental decay, and muscle imbalances.
Highlights from Jill Savolt, RDH, Myo Therapist
A sippy cup is meant to be used SHORT-TERM as a child transitions from the breast/bottle to an open & straw cup. Children should begin transitioning away from a sippy cup and to an open cup at around 6 months, as this is the time they start to develop the proper muscle functions of the tongue, lips, and throat, and develop their mature swallow.
The reason why you do not want to prolong the use of sippy cups is because the spout teaches incorrect tongue placement.
When you swallow, your tongue should RISE to the roof of your mouth and behind your teeth. When you drink from a sippy cup your tongue is forced to DROP underneath the spout and into the floor of the mouth, encouraging all the wrong muscles.
They promote the suckle-like pattern that infants use for breast and bottle feeding, which limits the child’s ability to develop a more mature swallowing pattern, especially with continued use after the first year (Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP). The spout of the sippy cup forces the child to continue to push their tongue forward and back, perpetuating suckling.
The Issue with 360 Cups
Not only do 360 cups also perpetuate biting and suckling, they force the neck and head of the child into extension which puts the airway at risk. They also require over-activation of the top lip and over-use of the jaw to support top lip pressure (Melanie Potock).
What to Look for in Cups
Non-Valved Straw Cups
or you can trim the valve yourself (how to video here)
Open cups
Thin Straws
Short Straws
Promotes mature swallowing patterns, promotes the use of lips and supports facial muscles instead of biting, encourages the straw to always rest in the middle of the lips rather than on a preferred side which helps facial muscle development
Hard Straws
If child has a habit of biting/chewing on soft straws
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