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When my kids were babies, I made the choice to avoid as much plastic as I possibly could in their bottles, dinnerware, and later their sippy cups. I was mainly concerned about plastic leaching into the liquids they were drinking.
At first I thought it was enough to avoid plastic bottles with BPA, but then I found out that even BPA-free plastic has endocrine disrupting compounds that can leach into the water or milk inside the bottle. When my kids were ready to move on from the bottle, I decided to look for sippy cups made from materials like stainless steel and glass.
If you’re looking for the best non-toxic sippy cups for your toddler, read on to learn what materials to avoid (like plastic and BPA) and which ones to seek out instead (such as glass and stainless steel).
Why Avoid Plastic and BPA in Sippy Cups?
Before we delve into healthy materials for sippy cups, let’s consider what to avoid when selecting a cup for your toddler. Traditional plastic sippy cups may contain harmful chemicals like Bisphenol A (BPA), which can leach into your child’s drinks, posing potential health risks.
BPA is known to disrupt hormonal balance and has been linked to various health issues. Plastic sippy cups may also contain other harmful chemicals such as PVC and phthalates, which can have negative health effects on your child’s development.
Given these issues, it’s a good idea to steer clear of plastic sippy cups, especially those that don’t explicitly state that they’re BPA-free.
Healthier Materials for Sippy Cups
Two solid alternatives to plastic are glass and stainless steel. Luckily, there are several different sippy cups made from these plastic-free materials.
Glass Sippy Cups
Glass sippy cups are an excellent alternative to plastic ones. They’re free from harmful chemicals, making them a safer choice for your toddler. Glass sippy cups are also durable and easy to clean. Look for options with silicone sleeves or protective covers to reduce the risk of breaking when they’re (inevitably) dropped.
Stainless Steel Sippy Cups
Stainless steel sippy cups are another non-toxic option. They’re robust, resistant to corrosion, and don’t leach harmful substances into beverages. Stainless steel cups often feature spill-proof lids with silicone spouts or straws, making them ideal for on-the-go adventures.
Best Non-Toxic Sippy Cup Brands
Here are my favorite sippy cup brands (tried and tested on my own kids) that use stainless steel, glass, and silicone rather than plastic materials.
1. Klean Kanteen ($18)
Klean Kanteen is known for making eco-friendly and non-toxic products that replace plastic bottles and help reduce waste. Their Kid Kanteen sippy cups are made from high-quality stainless steel, and they’re both durable and safe for your kids to drink from.
These non-toxic sippy cups feature a silicone spout that’s free from BPA and other harmful chemicals. They’re also designed with a spill-resistant valve, making them suitable for toddlers on the move. My kids used these sippy cups on a daily basis until they graduated to the Klean Kanteen stainless steel water bottles, which they now take with them to school.
Klean Kanteen also makes a great spillproof straw cup for littles, as well as reusable tumblers for parents to keep their coffee warm.
2. Life Factory ($27)
I really like Life Factory’s water bottles for adults, and I used to use their glass baby bottles when my kids were babies. Life Factory is known for its high-quality glassware, and their glass sippy cups are no exception. These cups are made from thermal shock-resistant glass, which ensures that they can withstand temperature changes without shattering.
The silicone sleeves that come with these non-toxic sippy cups provide protection and an excellent grip for little hands. Life Factory’s sippy cups are free from BPA, phthalates, and PVC, so you don’t have to worry about chemicals leaching into your kiddo’s drinks.
3. Pura Kiki ($22)
Pura Kiki takes pride in its stainless steel sippy cups, which are clearly designed with longevity and safety in mind. Their cups feature medical-grade silicone spouts and are free from plastic, BPA, and other harmful chemicals.
Pura Kiki sippy cups are not only eco-friendly but are also surprisingly versatile, as they can be converted into a straw cup or a regular water bottle as your child grows. They also make a unique fully silicone 5 ounce training sippy cup for toddlers ($15).
4. Simple Modern ($13)
Simple Modern offers a range of stainless steel sippy cups that come in a variety of designs and color options (many with Disney patterns, if your kid is a fan) that appeal to toddlers and younger kids.
Because they’re made from stainless steel, these cups are free from BPA and other harmful substances. They also come with a spill-resistant straw lid that really helps prevent spills all over the floor.
Both the cups and the straws are made from silicone, so your kids aren’t sucking on plastic or drinking water that’s been in contact with plastic materials. Check out this guide for additional options for safe reusable straws.
5. Nuby ($8)
Nuby is another leading brand in the world of baby and toddler products. While many of their products are plastic, they also offer some non-toxic sippy cups and other non-plastic alternatives.
Nuby’s BPA-Free Silicone sippy cup features a 100% silicone body and spout, so it’s free from plastic chemicals and BPA. It’s an ideal choice for parents who prefer the familiarity of the Nuby brand while hoping to avoid plastic.
Nuby also makes a cute stainless steel travel cup ($15) that’s more of a transitional cup between a sippy cup and a water bottle.
6. Elk and Friends ($35 for 4)
Elk and Friends offers these adorable stainless steel sippy cups that are designed for spill-free drinking. The soft silicone sleeves with the cute designs and colors provide protection and a grippy surface to help prevent spills.
Elk and Friends’ non-toxic sippy cups are free from BPA, phthalates, and PVC. Their straws are made from food-grade silicone that have stoppers so they don’t fall out of the cup.
7. Thinkbaby ($14)
Thinkbaby makes safe non-toxic products for children; in fact, they make my top favorite kids’ mineral sunscreen. The Thinkbaby Sippy Cup is made from high-quality stainless steel and features a no-spill spout made of medical-grade silicone.
Thinkbaby cups are free from BPA, PVC, phthalates, and other harmful chemicals. The ergonomic design and easy-to-hold handles make them a practical choice for toddlers.
Non-Toxic Sippy Cups for the Win
Finding the healthiest non-toxic sippy cups for your toddler involves avoiding traditional plastic cups with harmful chemicals like BPA, PVC, and phthalates. Instead, you can opt for sippy cups made from glass or stainless steel, which are durable and free from toxic substances.
Brands like Klean Kanteen, Life Factory, Pura Kiki, Thinkbaby, Simple Modern, Nuby, and Elk and Friends offer non-plastic sippy cups and water bottles that prioritize your child’s well-being while providing convenience, style, and durability. Making the switch to non-toxic sippy cups ensures that your toddler can sip safely without coming into contact with unwanted chemicals while drinking.
For more non-toxic kid and baby products, check out my guides to non-toxic dinnerware and bath toys for toddlers and kids, as well as my favorite strollers and car seats without flame retardants!
