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Step 1
Give a younger child a sippy cup with handles. The 6-month old likes to grab on to things and this is as much a toy as it is a thirst quencher. An older child might need a more sophisticated bottle like a sports bottle that has the sippy like feature but can be closed easily when not in use.
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Step 2
Decide how much leak proofing you need. There are several cups on the market that are called leak proof, but still leak. A general rule of thumb is that the cheaper it is, the more likely it is to leak. Many people believe the Luv 'N Care Nuby sippy cup leaks and falls apart quickly. Others believe that cheaper cups are worth the spills here and there because of the price tag.
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Step 3
Determine how much you want to spend on a sippy cup. Cheap ones at Wal-Mart can be as low as $1, while the cheapest ones at your local grocery store might be $5 a piece. Your baby might not even take a sippy cup, so try one out first before spending too much on something that isn't going to work.
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Step 4
Choose a cup that works with other cups you have. The cups' pieces get lost easily. The stoppers on several of the cups are transferable to similar cups. Choose cups with the same stopper so you can swap out the stopper when they get lost instead of throwing the whole cup out.
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Step 5
Allow the child to pick his own cup. Many children think of a decorative sippy cup as a toy. Kids think they are winning when they have chosen the cup that the milk is going in. It will be easier to have the kids drink what is in the cup if they like the cup.
