Before we talk cups, let’s talk positioning.
There are approximately a million cups marketed to parents. Straw cups, open cups, weighted straws, handles, no handles… and somehow we’re supposed to know which one is “best.” (I have a few of my favs linked below) but before we get there, as an OT, one of the first things I’m looking at actually has nothing to do with the cup.
I’m looking at how your child is sitting.
When their body has a stable, supported base, they don’t have to work quite as hard just to maintain their position. That gives them a more stable starting point for all the other things happening at mealtime, like bringing food or a cup to their mouth, using utensils, chewing, drinking, and learning new skills.
Here are a few things I look for:
- Feet have somewhere to land. Dangling feet don’t provide much stability. A footrest, stool, or even a box can give their feet a supported surface.
- Hips, knees + ankles are supported. You’ll often hear this called “90-90-90” positioning. It doesn’t have to be a perfect geometry lesson, but we’re looking for a stable seated position rather than a little body working overtime to stay upright.
- The table or tray is at a comfortable height. Think around mid-chest rather than way up by their shoulders or so low that they’re reaching down for everything.
- They’re sitting upright + supported. We want a stable seat that fits their body, not one where they’re constantly sliding, slouching, or trying to balance themselves.
 And then?Â
Let them practice.
Learning to drink from a cup, scoop with a spoon, bring food to their mouth + manage all the other pieces of mealtime takes time. Spills are going to happen. Food is going to end up on the floor. Sometimes the spoon won’t even make it remotely close to their mouth.Â
The goal is to give them a setup where they can practice, participate, and build confidence at the table.
Shop my favorite seatsMy Favorite Seats
These are the three seats we’ve used the most in our house. They serve different purposes, but all give me the optimal positioning features I’m looking for as an OT.Â
Upseat: Baby Floor Seat w/ Tray
Our favorite floor seat because of the positioning! It supports a natural hip position + upright posture, and the tray is perfect for early self-feeding. Bonus: it’s lightweight and SO easy to bring along wherever we’re eating.
Use code LOGAN10 for 10% off!
Upseat: Toddler BoosterÂ
We use this one daily with our toddler. I love the extra height at the table while keeping her upright with her feet flat. That stable position supports the mechanics of eating, and we’ve noticed fewer spills and more independence at the table.
Use code LOGAN10 for 10% off!
Abiie: Beyond Junior Highchair
Our everyday high chair! I love that the seat & footrest adjust as baby grows, so I can get a supportive setup without constantly rigging something under their feet. It’s sturdy, easy to clean & grows well beyond the baby stage.
Let's Talk Cups
I use open cups and straw cups with my own littles rather than traditional sippy or 360 cups. I like that they give them opportunities to practice drinking skills they’ll continue to use as they grow.
But learning to drink looks different for every child. There isn’t one cup or one progression that’s right for everyone, especially when feeding or oral motor concerns are involved.
Below are a few of the cups we’ve used in our house at different stages. Some offer a little more support while learning, and others are just the everyday cups my babes use now!Â
Open Cup
This is usually the first cup I start with. Open-cup drinking is great practice for oral motor control as baby learns to manage their lips, jaw & the flow of liquid with each sip.
Nose Cup
I like this one if baby needs more support with open-cup drinking. The cutout lets us tip the cup while baby keeps their head in a more neutral position, making it a helpful tool while they’re learning to manage the flow.
Honey Bear Straw Cup
This is my go-to when baby is learning how to use a straw. A slow, gentle squeeze brings the liquid up the straw, helping them make the connection between sucking + getting a drink.
Toddler Everyday Cup
Once they’ve got the hang of open-cup drinking, these are our everyday cups! They’re made from wheat straw instead of traditional plastic, but still lightweight and basically unbreakable!
Toddler Water Bottle
We LOVE these! They hold up to being dropped and tossed around, and there are SO many colors, prints and sizes to choose from. Bonus: they make 40 oz bottles for Mom too!!
A quick note about silverware
A lot of baby spoons and forks have surprisingly long handles. I actually prefer shorter, chunky handles when they're first learning to feed themselves.
When there isn't a ton of extra handle to work with, there's less variation in where they can grab it. It gives those little hands a more consistent place to grasp while they're figuring out scooping, bringing the utensil to their mouth and eventually stabbing foods with a fork.
Baby Intro Silverware
I love these for those first tastes! Add a little puree or soft food and let baby explore. They’re great for oral mapping, getting comfortable with different textures and introducing self-feeding without needing to master scooping yet.
Baby/Toddler Easy Grip Silverware
Our first time using these with baby #4 and we LOVE them, too! They’re super sturdy with short handles that are easy for little hands to manage. If you’re looking for a plastic-free option, this is it.
Short Training Plastic Silverware Set
I LOVE these and have used them with every baby! The short, sturdy handles are perfect for little baby and toddler hands as they learn to feed themselves. And just as important, they hold up SO well and wash easily.
Honorable Mentions
These are just a few random little things that make life around our kitchen table easier. Basically: not essentials. Just really nice to have!Â
Bowls w/ Silicone Sleeves
My toddlers LOVE these, and they’ve held up so well! If you’re looking for a plastic-free option, these are what we use.
Divided Plates w/ Silicone Sleeves
Another great plastic-free option! We love the divided sections, and the silicone sleeve makes them much more toddler-friendly.
Stainless Steel Suction Plates
Great for those early solid-food days! The suction helps keep the plate in place, and they’re another plastic-free option we love.
Grape Cutter
We use this for grapes and cherry tomatoes, and the kids LOVE helping with it. Quick, easy, and gets used all the time!
Toddler Kitchen Set
We use this one a LOT! It’s great for practicing knife safety and letting little hands help with meal prep. Just know… once you introduce it, they’re going to want to help with everything!Â
Mealtime getting a little… complicated?
You don’t want to pressure, bribe, or turn dinner into a battle…but you’re also standing there thinking, okay, so what DO I say?
I made this little guide for exactly that. It has simple phrase swaps plus a few reminders you can come back to when mealtime gets tricky.
Need a little more support?
You’ve asked ChatGPT. You’ve saved the reels. You’ve tried the things that sounded like they should work.
But sometimes you just want to talk to someone who knows your family, your routines, your kid and what you’ve already tried.
That’s where I come in. 🤍
Parent coaching gives you a place to bring the real-life stuff and figure it out together.
Let's Chat!!
Tell me where to reach you and I’ll send you an email so we can talk a little more about what support could look like for your family.
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