For some babies, transitioning to a bottle can feel nearly impossible and challenging. For those that are getting to the sippy cup age, finding a bottle that the baby will use can seem a daunting task to some parents, with many considerations to be made. There is, of course, the issue of whether or not the baby will take to the cup and transition easily. Also, there are more minor issues to consider, such as durability, ease of cleaning, and of course, the cost. To make the search a bit easier, we have compiled a list of some of the best sippy cups for a 6-month-old breastfed baby.
Dr. Brown’s Soft-Spout Transition Cup
Dr. Brown’s is one of the best sippy cups for the transition from breastfeeding to bottle feeding. The soft spout sippy cup is structured for ease of use for children to hold and grip it. The removable handles are sturdy, and the spout is silicone and spill proof. The handle design makes it easier for children’s small hands, and if a mistake does happen, a spill is unlikely due to the design.
This cup is dishwasher safe, weighs 3.04 ounces and is BPA free. It is a great time saver for busy parent to be able to place it into the washing machine when needed rather than having to hand-wash anuy sensitive parts or materials. A great feature is that the soft silicone spout is removable for easy cleaning as well, should that need to be cleaned separately. Recommended for babies 6 months and older, the design is made to be easy for both the parent and child.
Although the sippy cup has great features such as the silicone top, babies must suck a bit hard on this cup in order to drink from it, making it have less ease than some competitor models. There are also no replacement parts offered, and if the removable spout is misplaced while washing, an entirely new cup would have to be purchased.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sturdy handles are easy for children to hold
Spill-proof spout prevents messes if the cup is dropped Soft silicone spout is easy for most babies to adjust to Dishwasher safe makes it easy on parents |
Can be hard for babies to suck
No replacement parts Spout can get lost in the dishwasher |
Munchkin Latch Anti-Colic Baby Bottle
The Latch is considered ideal for breastfed babies as the breast-like nipple is a lot softer than many bottles. Often preferred over Dr. Brown’s, the nipple is flexible and stretches, with a pump adapter that is compatible with many popular breast pumps. This makes it a smart choice for mothers who do not want to have to buy new breast pumps or materials from what they already have grown accustomed to using.
The design of the bottle helps the baby’s feeding and sleep cycle by reducing frustration with the tip’s flexibility. One of the stand-out features of this bottle is the anti-colic valve which prevents air from getting into the formula. This design prevented a gassy and fussy baby, much like Dr. Brown’s model. The Latch event features 3 different nipple flows to use as the baby transitions, grows and gains more control.
The product only weighs 1.44 ounces, which truly makes it very easy for babies to handle. However, teething children may rip or tear the nipple on this bottle since it is so soft, causing a potential choking hazard. It tends to leak when knocked over or run with and is not microwave safe despite being BPA free. The Latch has a lot of pros and cons to its use as a sippy cup for a 6-month-old breastfed baby.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Soft, realistic nipple seems familiar to babies transitioning
Anti-colic valve prevents gas buildup Various flows for the baby’s specific needs Lightweight design |
Not suitable for teething babies
Leaks when knocked over Not microwave safe |
NUK Learner Cup
This learner cup is also made to be easily gripped and soft spouted, as the other models we have mentioned in this list. Like Dr. Brown’s cup, the NUK learner bottle is created to be spill-proof in addition to being BPA-free – an extremely important feature for all parents to consider.
This cup is ideal for a breastfed baby six months or older. The spout on this one is more of a traditional bottle shape than a nipple shape, setting it apart from other sippy cups normally recommended for formerly breastfed babies. A great feature of this one is that the cup and spout are wide and can be cleaned with any standard bottle brush.
At 4 ounces, this is one of the heavier options for a sippy cup. It features many of the same things that make a sippy cup for this age attractive–it is gentle on gums, and lets liquid flow through it very easily without giving the baby too much formula. However, the spout is not centered and is shaped more spout like, which can make it more difficult for babies who have been breastfed to catch on.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy grip for baby’s hands
Spill proof in the case of an accident or drop Wide spout, easy cleaning Gentle on gums for teething babies Dishwasher safe |
Heavier model than competitors
Spout is not centered, making it more difficult for babies to catch on
|
Munchkin Gentle Transition Trainer Cup
Another BPA-free option, this pack comes with two sippy cups. These cups are actually great for babies as young as 4 months but still, make a great sippy cup for a 6-month-old. The spout is flexible silicone and another great option to be gentle on a baby’s gums. The handles are also a lot softer than many sippy cup brands, which can create ease of holding for the baby.
Weighing 5.6 ounces, this is one of the heavier options, but it is designed to be good for all ages that use a sippy cup from 6 months and above. The stand-out feature of this product is that the material does not tear, even for teething children who may bite down on the spout. It also does not have issues with leaking, making it possibly one of the most practical and versatile options on the market.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Gentle on gums for teething babies
Soft handles create less stress for the baby while holding Good for teething babies Spout does not easily tear, even when bitten down on |
Heavier than most sippy cups on the market
Not specifically designed with 6-month-olds in mind May be more bulky for a child to hold on to due to weight and size |
Reviewing all options side by side, the Munchkin Gentle Transition Trainer Cup has the best ratio of pros to cons for the 6-month age group. With many choices for a sippy cup for 6-month-old breastfed babies, preferences and priorities will play a huge role in which option is best for parents. There are many things to consider, from whether your baby has begun teething to ease of washing and ease for the parent. Although all sippy cups definitely have their positive features, t parent ultimately knows the unique needs of their child for the best sippy cup to select.
