From Feeder to Sipper: Straw Feeders, Spout Sippers and Weighted Straws

At some point most babies move from a feeder with a nipple to drinking from a cup. In between, there is a whole shelf of options: straw feeders, spout sippers, straw sippers and steel sippers. They look similar in photos, but they work differently. This guide explains each one, so you can choose with confidence. When to make the move is up to you and your doctor; always check the age printed on the pack.

Straw feeder, spout sipper, straw sipper: the differences

Straw feeder. A feeder bottle with a soft straw top instead of a nipple, usually with two side handles. It looks and holds like the feeder your baby already knows. Our YES Baby straw feeders are made from PPSU in 240ml and 300ml, with character designs such as elephant, tiger, puppy and Mickey Mouse.

Spout sipper. A cup with a soft, flat spout to drink from, often with a lid and handles. The AURA training sipper cup is an example, with a spill-proof spout and two handles.

Straw sipper. A cup with a straw that usually pops up from a lid. The LOVENNE straw sipper and the YES Bounce Cup are both 300ml straw sippers with pop-up straws. The YES Baby Sipper Cup 240ml has a soft spout with a weighted straw, removable handles and a flip-top cover.

Steel sipper. An insulated stainless steel cup with a straw, such as the Suaay steel sipper. Steel is heavier than plastic but keeps water cool for longer, which many parents find useful in a Pakistani summer.

What a weighted straw does

A normal straw only reaches the drink when the cup is upright. A weighted straw has a flexible tube with a small weight on the bottom end. When the cup tilts, the weight pulls the end of the straw down into the liquid, so the child can still drink when the cup is tipped or held at an angle. This is useful for young children who do not yet hold a cup straight. The LOVENNE cup, the YES Bounce Cup and the YES Baby Sipper Cup all have weighted straws.

Handles, lids and spill-proof valves

• Handles on both sides help small hands hold the cup. Some, like those on the YES Baby Sipper Cup, can be removed when the child is ready.
• Pop-up or flip-top lids cover the straw or spout, which keeps it clean in a bag.
• Spill-proof valves are small soft parts that let liquid out only when the child drinks. Products described as spill-proof or anti-leak reduce spills a lot, but no cup is completely mess-free, so close the lid fully before it goes into a bag.

Cleaning straws and valves

Straws and valves are the parts most often skipped, and the parts where milk and juice collect. After each use:

1. Take the lid apart: remove the straw, the valve and any seals.
2. Rinse everything with water straight away.
3. Push a straw cleaner through the straw with warm soapy water. Our 3-in-1 cleaning brush includes one.
4. Wash the valve and seals gently by hand, so they keep their shape.
5. Rinse well and let every part dry before you put the cup back together.

For sterilising, follow the instructions on the box. Straws and valves are soft parts and often have their own instructions.

Choosing by the age printed on the pack

Makers print a suggested age on their packs. Use it as your guide, along with your doctor's advice and what your child is comfortable with. Many families find a straw feeder an easy first step, because the shape and handles feel familiar, and then move on to a sipper cup. Others go straight to a sipper. There is no single right order.

You can compare every option in our sippers collection and our straw feeders, and pay cash on delivery anywhere in Pakistan.