Playtex The First Lil’ Gripper Straw Trainer Cup Review (& Giveaway Ends 6/1)

ABOUT:

The First Lil’ Gripper Straw Trainer Cup is an ideal cup for babies transitioning from bottles to cups.  It is the first squeezable straw trainer cup on the market designed with the help of a child development expert to help babies learn to suck and drink from a straw.  Sucking through a straw is a natural motion that infants already possess and drinking from a straw serves as an easy transition from a bottle.

Features:

• Cup can be squeezed by an adult to help push the liquid up, allowing the child to learn to suck liquid.
• 7 oz.
• Stage 1:  For ages 4-12 months
• Ergonomically designed with easy grip handles for little hands
• Equipped with Twist ‘n Click Leak-Proof Guaranteed seal technology
• Features a slider cover to keep the straw keep when not in use.
• Dishwasher safe
• BPA Free and Phthalate Free
• Interchangeable lid
• Fun vibrant colors for boys and girls (purple, blue, green, and pink)

Sippy Cup Dos…and Some Helpful Don’ts!

By Dr. Bill Sears

Are you thinking it may be time to say bye-bye to bottles?  (They do grow up so quickly!) Expert pediatrician Dr. Bill Sears and Playtex have some tips and cups you’re sure to love—specially created for this exciting stage of baby’s development. If you’re considering a cup, consider this:

1. Do enjoy this wonderful milestone with your baby who will proudly master a cup at her own pace.
2. Don’t be in a hurry. Wait until baby can sit up and hold an object with both hands — usually between 6 to 10 months.
3. Do choose a first cup with easy-to-grasp handles and a soft spout that’s gentle on baby’s sensitive gums — like the Playtex® The First Sipster® cup, designed with a feeding specialist.
4. Do make it fun for your baby by playing a little game. Sit face to face with him and place an empty cup within his/her reach. Drink from your cup and see if he/she grabs the sippy to mimic your actions.
5. Do consider a cup that your child can hold and control easily, and can help them transition from bottle to cup. Developed with a child development expert, The First Lil’ Gripper™ Straw Trainer Cup is an easy-to-use cup that helps moms teach their babies how to suck and drink from a straw. Ergonomically designed with easy grip handles for little hands, First Lil’ Gripper™ has a squeezing feature, such that a parent can squeeze, but a child could not easily do so.
6. Don’t overfill the cup when baby is first learning to use it. Start by adding water or diluted juice into the cup only to about one quarter-full until baby’s skills mature.
7. Don’t worry about spills or leaks as babies graduate from trainer cups. With the Playtex® Twist ‘N Click lid — you’ll see and hear it click closed — and you’ll know it’s Leak-Proof Guaranteed*!
8. Do enjoy every moment of your baby’s newly blossoming independence as he makes his way up to the big-kid cups.

*If not fully satisfied, return for full purchase price or similar product.

MY THOUGHTS:

Between my two boys I have tried a huge variety of sippy cups to find one that worked for each of them.  They have always favored the straw sippy cups, which I am fine with because it makes me feel they are learning something (sucking through a straw) they will continue to use.    The First Lil’ Gripper Straw Trainer is the great size for kids just starting out.  Even though my youngest is almost 3 years old, he of course had to try it out and had no problem, but I can definitely see it being the perfect size for a 4 month up just learning to switch off from the bottle.  Both my boys drank juice from a sippy cup around 4 months and were completely off the bottle by 9-10 months.  I love the handles with the rubber gripping on the sides too for little hands to hold and pick up.

(no leaks with lid closed)

As far as spilling or leaking I had to test this cup out because I have yet to find a truly spill-proof cup.  When the lid covers the straw, this cup does not leak; however, when the straw is up and open if the child (or me in this case) holds the cup upside down and shakes, liquid will come out.  It is not a lot of liquid since the straw is not that thick but be prepared that if held upside down this cup with spill out some liquid.  I also tested it by laying it on its side and it didn’t leak.  Now my boys always tended to pick up their sippy cups wrong or test gravity by trying to shake out the liquid, but as far as spills go this cup really is minimal and it is more so drops of liquid coming out from shaking.  As far as cleaning goes, it is very easy to pop out the pieces and clean it and snap everything back in place, and I like that I can really clean it (some sippy cups have crevices that are hard to clean, but this cup is quite easy.)  Overall, I would buy more of these cups and did find it useful. 

BUY IT: The Playtex First Lil’ Gripper Straw Trainer is available at retailers including Babies R Us, Target, Kroger and Walmart.

WIN IT: (1) US winner will receive The Playtex First Lil’ Gripper Straw Trainer.

TO ENTER:  Check out Playtex Products and leave a comment on another one you’d like to try with your child!

(Color may vary)

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Mom and More Disclosure: I was sent a sample in exchange for my honest opinion. Please see my Disclosure Policy.