Safe Sipping: The Best Non-Toxic Sippy Cup Alternatives
Looking for the best non-toxic sippy cups for your little ones? Today’s post shares the top-rated non-toxic sippy cup brands you can feel confident using in your home. As a mom of six, I know how important it is to find affordable brands that share my views on non-toxic living and provide products that don’t contain harmful chemicals. This is especially important when we pass something to the little hands we care for daily.Â
With all the recent reports of mold found in the crevices of popular sippy cups, it’s important to find easy to clean and spill-proof options. I don’t know about you, but my children have all found it hilarious to intentionally spill water on the floor any chance they get. If anything, it just reminds me they’re not quite ready for a regular cup yet!
I’m incredibly skeptical about purchasing a traditional sippy cup made from plastic, as companies are not forced to disclose what chemicals are present in their baby products. Even BPA-free plastic still contains toxic chemicals our children shouldn’t be exposed to. This is especially true when there are excellent options available, like glass and stainless steel. I know handing a toddler a glass cup can be risky, but many offer a silicone sleeve making it less likely to shatter if your toddler does end up tossing their cup on the floor.Â
If glass cups are out of the question, stainless steel cups are sturdy, won’t shatter if dropped, and are perfect for cold liquids. Whether your toddler prefers a straw cup or a hard spout, I’m sharing excellent alternatives so you can toss out that questionable toddler cup for good.
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Why you should ditch the plastic products
Many experts say that parents should skip sippy cups altogether and switch straight from baby bottles to an open cup or a cup with a straw option. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve used sippy cups with all my younger children as I didn’t want to deal with constantly cleaning up spills. Maybe I should’ve pushed it more, but I’m not going to lose sleep over decisions I’ve made in the past. We know better now and work hard to make sustainable changes and find the best option that fits our budget.Â
Fortunately, there are excellent alternatives available for conventional plastic cups, like Pura Kiki cups which feature a food-grade silicone straw that is much safer for children than the commonly used sippy lid you find on most products. I’ll share reviews of some of the best non-toxic sippy cups later in this post, but for now, I’d like to share more about why it’s so important to move away from plastic and choose products that feature safe materials.Â
Toxins commonly found in conventional sippy cups
While using a sippy cup to transition from breastfeeding or bottle feeding seems harmless, there are some considerations we need to be aware of. We now know that even plastic labeled as BPA-free still contains toxic chemicals proven to cause harm to our health, and it’s best to opt for a plastic-free sippy cup option to avoid exposing yourself and your children to harsh toxins. Here are some toxins to be aware of as you work to find the best non-toxic sippy cup:
Toxic plastics
As previously mentioned, removing BPA from plastic is a good start, but not when it means manufacturers are just using an alternative to the same toxic chemicals. Sometimes referred to as ‘cousin chemicals’, ingredients like Bisphenol B, Bisphenol F, and Bisphenol S are often used to replace BPA but react almost identically. They’re still linked to hormone disruption and other health issues, and they can leach into food and liquid at high temperatures. It’s best to avoid using plastic in any dishes and utensils when possible.
Heavy metals
Remember when lead was a common ingredient in paint? And then we realized it was a neurotoxin that caused irreparable damage when we came in contact with it or inadvertently ingested it? Well, many products still test positive for lead, even sippy cups. Recently, the stainless steel cup brand Stanley faced a lot of heat when its cups tested positive for lead, too.Â
To prevent accidental exposure to lead and other heavy metals, I try to avoid stainless steel water bottles and cups with paint on the outside. This isn’t always possible, as most brands offer their products in a variety of different colors, but the bottom line is to choose a brand you trust that’s open and honest about its manufacturing process.Â
The good news is that quite a few quality brands haven’t tested positive for toxic levels of lead, so you can feel safe finding a great option for your kids.Â
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Here are some of the reports if you’d like to read them for yourself:
Mold prevention tips for toys and sips
Factors to consider when choosing the best non-toxic sippy cup
When choosing a non-toxic cup, there are some factors you should consider before purchasing. Consider the following areas and read reviews before choosing a product:
Trustworthy brands: This part can be tough, but I’ll help take the guesswork out of it by sharing the best non-toxic sippy cups I’ve found and why we choose them over other options. To me, trustworthy means honest and straightforward with their manufacturing process, openly sharing what their products are made of, and only using safe, sustainable materials in their product line.Â
Plastic-free cup: This may be negotiable for some and that’s totally okay! You have to choose what you’re comfortable using in your home, and if allowing some plastic is okay with you, then that’s great. It can be hard to find non-plastic sippy cups and even some of the products I’ll share today have a plastic lid, but they use high-quality plastic, and it’s not the actual cup that’s made of plastic.
Leakproof: I think we can all agree that if a sippy cup is going to pass our inspection as parents and make it into the diaper bag, it needs to be leakproof. There aren’t many things more aggravating than opening a bag and realizing that the sippy cup has leaked everywhere. I don’t care if it’s the best non-toxic sippy cup ever made; if it leaks all over the place, it’s not worth it.
Bonus: grows with your child. This isn’t a deal breaker, but some brands offer cups that stick with you for a long time. They grow with your child and offer transition tops. I love that you purchase one base and switch out the top when ready. If you don’t lose the cup along the way. Maybe that’s just our household, though!
The best non-toxic sippy cups
Okay, now it’s time for the best part- the cups! These cups are safe, non-toxic, and have rave reviews, making each of them a good option! The brands that do have plastic do not contain BPA or BPA alternatives, and each product is made to last!
Klean Kanteen
We tend to choose stainless steel over glass most of the time as it helps keep cold drinks at the desired temperature longer than glass, and overall, it’s just more sturdy. With adorable prints and the safest plastic option available, Klean Kanteen is an excellent choice overall. While the price is a bit higher than some of the other brands I’m sharing, they offer bundles that include a water bottle, a straw cup, a water bottle, and a sippy cup lid. The bottom of the cup also has impact-absorbing material. Additionally, you can purchase varying lids separately, and their bottles come with a lifetime guarantee, making them a popular option.Â
Purchase Klean Kanteen on Amazon
Pura Kiki
Coming in as the priciest brand featured, Pura Kiki stainless steel bottles are non-toxic, completely plastic-free, and offer lids that grow with your children. The sipper spout is made from medical-grade silicone, and all lids are interchangeable on every bottle they offer. This is an excellent option, I just with the price wasn’t so high. That’s truly the only fault I can find. These bottles are an excellent option.
Lifefactory Grow With Me glass bottle
Glass is one of the safest alternatives to plastic and is much less likely to leach chemicals into your food or liquids. I love that the glass bottle has a silicone sleeve, making it even safer for little hands and much less likely to shatter when dropped. The bottle starter set comes with 4 or 6 bottles in a variety of sizes plus varying lids. Lifefactory also offers their Grow With Me bottle in stainless steel if you’re worried about glass!
These bottles are incredibly durable, even when tossed from a high chair, and leakproof, making them an excellent option for long car rides. The price is comparable to other bottles, especially when you consider that the bottle transitions with your baby through multiple stages of life.Â
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Honorable mention
I want to mention one more brand here if you’re looking for something more affordable. it’s not a perfect cup, but it’s better than using a completely plastic sippy cup.
Munchkin Miracle stainless steel
The cup itself is made from stainless steel, however the lid is made from plastic. It’s an improvement over plastic cups, but some reviews say the lid can crack easily, exposing your toddler to plastic shards. The price is lower than the other brands I’ve shared today, so if you choose to go with this brand, just be careful and watch for cracking as your toddler uses the cup.
Additionally, the bottom of the cup features a metal plate. Some reviews have stated that the cover comes off easily, potentially leaving you exposed to lead. I have no personally tested this brand myself, so I can’t share if this is accurate, so again, if you choose to use this cup, be mindful of these things.
Shop Munchkin stainless steel cups here
The Best Non-Toxic Sippy Cup Alternatives
If you’re trying to ditch sippy cups completely, good for you! That’s an excellent goal. Here are some alternatives to sippy cups you might want to consider.
Mason jars with stainless steel lid
While not my first choice, mason jars are a great alternative to sippy cups. They are made from glass, less likely to leach, and incredibly affordable. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve dropped a mason jar off the counter, and it’s never once shattered. They’re my glass of choice for my iced coffee every morning. Additionally, you can purchase silicone sleeves to cover the glass, making them even safer for your children; plus, as an added bonus, you can purchase lids designed for stainless steel straws. How cool is that?
Stainless steel mason jar straw lids
Stainless steel cups
Small stainless steel cups are a great option if you want to go straight to open cups and skip any training cups. Just be prepared for spills!Â
Small stainless steel cups for little hands
As a new mom, I know how overwhelming it can be to find trustworthy brands you feel comfortable using in your home. I started sharing affordable alternatives because I know how stressful this process can be, and I don’t want anyone else to have a hard time when I can share what I’ve learned. If you’ve found another brand that you absolutely love that I should try out with my children, let me know in the comments below! I’ve linked all the products throughout this post, and the ones that are available on Amazon are linked in my storefront. When you use these links, you help support my family, and we are incredibly grateful for your support!Â
Looking for more reviews on non-toxic products? Check out some of my recent posts below, and let me know if there are any products you’d like to see featured in an upcoming post. Thanks so much for being here!
Honest Review of Force of Nature Cleaner
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