I sit on the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Environmental Health and Climate Change, so I see the research firsthand. The consensus is clear:

• Use stainless steel or glass for food and beverage contact whenever possible

• Avoid heating food in plastic — heat accelerates chemical leaching

• Don’t put plastic in the dishwasher — repeated hot wash cycles break plastic down further

• Choose non-plastic dishes for children’s everyday use — because the cumulative exposure over thousands of meals is what matters

But material safety is only half the story. The other half is what the dish does for your baby’s development. And that’s where the design of the dish — its size, shape, weight and function — becomes just as important as what it’s made of.

Here’s something that surprises most parents: the AAP recommends introducing an open cup at 6 months — the same time you start solids. Not a sippy cup. An open cup.

I know that sounds messy. I know the sippy cup feels safer. But as a pediatrician, I need to explain why the sippy cup is actually a step backward for your baby’s development.

The sippy cup problem

When a baby drinks from a sippy cup, their tongue pushes forward and sits under the spout — the exact same motion they use with a bottle or breast. That means the sippy cup doesn’t teach any new oral motor skills. It’s essentially a bottle with a different shape.

Open cup drinking, on the other hand, requires your baby to:

• Close their lips around the rim — building lip strength and closure

• Coordinate sipping, holding and swallowing — a complex motor sequence

• Use a mature tongue position — the tongue stays back and down, which is the foundation for clear speech

Pediatric speech therapists consistently recommend open cups over sippy cups because the oral motor patterns developed through open cup drinking directly support speech development. Prolonged sippy cup use has been associated with delayed speech and dental issues.

How to start open cup drinking

1. Start small. Put just 1–2 ounces of breast milk, formula or water in a small cup. Less liquid means smaller spills — and less stress for everyone.

2. Hold the cup for baby. At 6 months, you’ll tip the cup gently to baby’s lips. Let them take small sips. Expect dribbling — it’s completely normal and is actually a sign that they’re learning.

3. Let baby practice holding. Around 8–9 months, most babies will start reaching for the cup. Let them hold it with your hands underneath for support.

4. Build toward independence. By 12–14 months, many babies can take independent sips from an open cup. By 18 months, the AAP recommends moving away from bottles entirely.

Why Ahimsa’s baby cup is the right training tool

I designed the Ahimsa 4 oz baby cup specifically for open cup training. The small 4 oz size is intentional: it limits spills and feels manageable in tiny hands. The weighted base adds stability on the highchair tray — so it doesn’t tip the moment baby touches it. The smooth, rounded rim is comfortable on baby’s lips. And because it’s stainless steel, it won’t absorb flavors, harbor bacteria or leach chemicals.

As your child grows, they’ll graduate to the 8 oz cup — same safety, same stability, just sized for bigger kids and bigger thirsts.

One of the things I love most about the system I designed is that it grows with your child. Starting solids isn’t a single moment — it’s a journey that spans years. And at each stage, your child’s dishes should match their developmental needs.

At every stage, the material stays the same: stainless steel that’s free from harmful chemicals, unbreakable and built to last through thousands of meals. Many Ahimsa families tell me their second and third children use the same dishes their first child started on.

Whether you choose Ahimsa or another brand, here’s what I recommend as a pediatrician:

• Stainless steel or glass material — following the AAP’s recommendation to avoid plastic food contact

• Free from harmful chemicals — look for products free from BPA, phthalates, lead and PFAS. Third-party certifications like MADE SAFE add an extra layer of trust.

• Appropriate size for baby — smaller bowls and cups reduce overwhelm and mess. A 4–8 oz bowl is ideal for starting solids.

• Weighted or stable base — babies push, grab and explore. A dish that stays put reduces frustration for everyone.

• Easy to clean — dishwasher-safe and non-porous so food, odors and bacteria don’t linger.

• Durable enough to last — your baby will drop, throw and bang their dishes. Stainless steel survives all of it.

• Dish material is a health decision — the AAP recommends stainless steel or glass over plastic for children’s food contact because chemicals in plastic can harm developing bodies.
• Dishes are developmental tools — the right bowl, spoon and cup teach your baby motor skills, independence and healthy eating patterns from the very first meal.
• The 2-spoon method works from day one — use the Simple Serve Bowl to let baby practice self-feeding while you ensure some food gets in. It builds coordination and reduces the all-or-nothing pressure of pure BLW.
• Skip the sippy cup — start open cup training at 6 months with a small, stable cup. It develops the oral motor patterns your child needs for swallowing and speech.
• Choose dishes that grow with your child — from the Simple Serve Bowl to the Balanced Bites Plate, the right system supports every stage of your baby’s eating journey.
  

Medical disclaimer

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or establish a physician-patient relationship. Every child is different. Always consult your child’s pediatrician for guidance specific to your family’s health needs.