04/25/2026
Most kids are handed a sippy cup as a “next step” from the bottle… but from an oral development perspective, it’s actually a step sideways - sometimes even backwards.
Sippy cups are designed to be spill-proof, which usually means a hard spout or valve that a child has to suck on.
This mimics a bottle-like pattern and encourages a forward, low tongue posture. Over time, this can reinforce habits we’r trying to move away from - like mouth breathing, poor lip seal, and an immature swallow pattern.
Open cups, on the other hand, support the way the mouth is meant to function.
When a child drinks from an open cup:
→ The tongue naturally lifts to the palate
→ The lips come together to create a seal
→ The jaw and facial muscles work in a coordinated, functional way
→ There’s no need for a sucking pattern — it becomes more like an adult swallow
This is huge for developing proper oral rest posture (tongue up, lips sealed, nasal breathing) which plays a key role in how the jaws grow, how the teeth come through, and even how a child breathes and sleeps.
Yes, open cups are messier at the start. That’s part of the learning. But with a little support (and maybe a towel nearby), children adapt quickly and what they’re learning is far more valuable than staying dry!
If we are thinking long-term about airway, jaw development, and function… ditching the sippy cup earlier is a small shift that can make a big difference.
