Can Babies Drink from an Open Cup at 6 Months?

Did you know that children can drink from an open cup from the moment you start solids?

That’s right - 4, 5 and 6-month-olds can be taught to drink from an open cup, and supporting them to do so has benefits for development.

5 Key Benefits of Open Cup Drinking for Babies

1. Supports the development of a mature swallow

2. Strengthens the muscles of the mouth that support speech

3. Promotes sipping rather than sucking, which is good for jaw development

4. Prevents liquids from pooling around the upper front teeth

5. Develops fine and gross motor skills

Why We Created the Clever Cup

We’ve developed Clever Cups to cleverly teach your little one how to drink successfully from an open cup.

Our design features:

- Straight, non-slip sides that are easy to grip

- Curved and angled interior for consistent fluid flow

- Weighted base to prevent tipping

- Soft silicone that’s safe for developing teeth

We’ve thought of everything.

Skip the Sippy Cup: Embrace the Mess

YES, you need to expect that the learning process will be messy. But there’s a good reason we don’t sell sippy cups or straw cups designed to reduce mess, it’s because kids are very capable when we give them the learning opportunities.

How to start using an open cup:

1. Start with a small amount of liquid in the cup

2. Try using smoothies or watered-down puree - these flow slower and are easier for babies to manage

3. Embrace the process, the benefits outweigh the mess!

Practice using your clever cup whenever you’re serving solids and your little one will be a pro in no time at all. Skip the sippy cup phase, you've got this.

Share with a friend who’s about to embark on the solids journey!

Watch the full reel here