Quick verdict
For true BLW practitioners, the **EZPZ Tiny Cup** is the essential starting point - the suction base, open cup design, and feeding therapist endorsement make it the category leader. The **Doidy Cup** is an excellent inexpensive companion that adds an ergonomic angle for easier learning. If your baby needs handles and more independent grip, add the **We Might Be Tiny Grip Cup** to the rotation. BLW cup learning is mes
EZPZ Tiny Cup
The EZPZ Tiny Cup is the gold standard for BLW cup introduction and is arguably the product most closely associated with the BLW community. It's a 1oz silicone open cup with an integrated suction base - the suction holds it to a high chair tray so baby can mouth it, explore it, and practice without it launching across the room.
BLW-approved cups that support open-cup drinking from the start. These picks develop oral motor skills the way the baby-led weaning philosophy intends.
Baby-led weaning changes how families think about feeding – and it changes how they think about cups, too. The BLW philosophy favors open cups from the very start, because open-cup drinking develops the tongue control, lip sealing, and jaw coordination that also support chewing, swallowing, and eventually speech. Sippy cups, by contrast, reinforce a bottle-style sucking pattern that BLW practitioners prefer to move away from early.
This guide focuses on cups that align with the BLW approach: open cups, soft cups, and tools that encourage baby to develop real drinking skills rather than extend bottle habits.
Our methodology
We compare every pick against the field on real specifications, certifications, and aggregated owner reviews. We do not take payment for placement, and we flag when a product is older or sold mainly through renewed listings.
Side by side
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EZPZ Tiny Cup | BLW standard open cup | Check price | |
| We Might Be Tiny Grip Cup | Handled silicone open cup | Check price | |
| Doidy Cup | Classic angled BLW cup | Check price | |
| NumNum Pre-Spoon GOOtensil | Cup and spoon combo starter | Check price | |
| Munchkin Open-Top Training Cup | Graduated BLW progression | Check price |
The full reviews
EZPZ Tiny Cup
The EZPZ Tiny Cup is the gold standard for BLW cup introduction and is arguably the product most closely associated with the BLW community. It's a 1oz silicone open cup with an integrated suction base - the suction holds it to a high chair tray so baby can mouth it, explore it, and practice without it launching across the room.
In its favor
- Suction base keeps cup on the tray during messy exploration
- True open-cup design - no spouts or valves to interfere with BLW goals
- Designed with feeding therapists for optimal oral motor development
Watch-outs
- 1oz capacity means very frequent refills once baby starts drinking well
- Suction base only works on smooth high chair trays, not textured surfaces
We Might Be Tiny Grip Cup
The We Might Be Tiny Grip Cup is an Australian-designed silicone open cup built specifically for small hands. Unlike the EZPZ, it has two textured side grips that baby can hold independently, which supports the self-feeding ethos of BLW. The cup has no suction base, encouraging slightly more advanced cup-holding practice.
In its favor
- Textured side grips help baby hold the cup independently
- Soft silicone body is safe for gum and mouth exploration
- Thoughtful design from a brand known in the BLW community
Watch-outs
- No suction base - will tip and spill if unsupported
- Pricier than basic open cup alternatives
Doidy Cup
The Doidy Cup has been around for decades and remains a beloved BLW and feeding therapy tool. It's an open cup with an angled, slanted rim that allows the cup to tip less steeply before liquid reaches baby's mouth. This means baby can see the liquid coming and adjust their head position - a key motor learning cue that conventional upright cups don't provide.
In its favor
- Angled rim reduces the tipping angle needed - easier for beginners
- Widely used by feeding therapists and OTs for oral motor training
- Very affordable entry point for BLW cup introduction
Watch-outs
- No handles - requires parent assistance for youngest babies
- Plastic construction; not as premium-feel as silicone options
NumNum Pre-Spoon GOOtensil
The NumNum Pre-Spoon GOOtensil is a hybrid tool that straddles the line between cup and spoon, making it a unique BLW starter. Shaped like a figure-eight, it has a concave bowl on each end that holds purees or liquid - baby dips it into food or cup, then brings it to their mouth, building the pre-spoon skills that BLW emphasizes.
In its favor
- Builds cup and spoon motor skills simultaneously - great BLW companion
- Figure-eight shape is easy for babies to grasp at any angle
- Orthodontist-approved silicone is safe for emerging teeth
Watch-outs
- Not a standalone cup - best used as a complement, not a primary vessel
- Limited liquid capacity per dip means slow drinking
Munchkin Open-Top Training Cup
The Munchkin Open-Top Training Cup bridges the gap between a fully open cup and a covered trainer. It features a removable lid that transforms from a covered training cup into a fully open cup, allowing a gradual BLW-aligned progression. Start with the lid for more controlled sipping, then remove it entirely when baby is ready for full open-cup practice.
In its favor
- Two-stage design progresses from training cup to full open cup
- Soft handles support grip development at the BLW stage
- Affordable and widely available
Watch-outs
- The training lid stage is not a true open cup - purists may skip straight to open
- Lid can be finicky to reseal tightly
What matters most
Open cup design first
- the BLW philosophy is clear: open cups develop superior oral motor skills. If you're committed to BLW, start with the EZPZ Tiny Cup or Doidy Cup before introducing any covered design.
Suction base or stable base
- young babies will knock cups over constantly. The EZPZ suction base is a practical concession to this reality that doesn't compromise the open-cup benefits.
Silicone or BPA-free plastic
- at this age, everything gets chewed and mouthed. Food-grade silicone is the safest and most comfortable material for the 6-12 month mouthing stage.
Small capacity: 1-4oz
- BLW cups don't need to hold much. Small cups are lighter, easier to hold, and won't waste milk or formula if baby isn't drinking effectively yet.
Dishwasher safe
- with the mess inherent in BLW mealtimes, easy cleanup isn't a luxury, it's a requirement.
Our take
For true BLW practitioners, the **EZPZ Tiny Cup** is the essential starting point - the suction base, open cup design, and feeding therapist endorsement make it the category leader. The **Doidy Cup** is an excellent inexpensive companion that adds an ergonomic angle for easier learning. If your baby needs handles and more independent grip, add the **We Might Be Tiny Grip Cup** to the rotation. BLW cup learning is mes
Frequently asked
Baby-led weaning philosophy holds that open cups better develop the tongue, lip, and jaw coordination that children need for eating and speech. Sippy cup spouts encourage a forward tongue thrust similar to bottle feeding, whereas open cups require babies to use the same lip and tongue control needed for solid foods. Most BLW practitioners recommend introducing an open cup alongside first foods.
Most BLW families introduce a small open cup at 6 months alongside first foods. The EZPZ Tiny Cup and Doidy Cup are specifically designed for this age. Babies won't drink much at first - the goal is exploration and skill building. Expect spills and treat them as part of the learning process.
Start with a tiny amount of water - just a few drops. Hold the cup with baby's hands over yours and gently tip a small amount to the lip. Let baby explore the sensation. The suction-base EZPZ cup is great here because baby can mouth and manipulate it on the tray without it tipping. Consistency over weeks builds the skill gradually.
You might also like
5 Best Cups for Milk for 18 Month Olds of 2026 | Straw Cups Built for Active Toddlers
5 Best Baby Cups of 2026 | Complete Guide From First Sips to Toddlerhood
5 Best Cups with Straws for Babies of 2026 | Introduce Straw Drinking
Best Decaf K Cups of 2026: Full Flavor Without the Caffeine
5 Best Cups for Toddlers of 2026 | Top Picks for Ages 1-3
5 Best Lifting Suction Cups of 2026
