To think most sippy cups are disgusting germy things

[nappyaddict]

The ones with spouts and valves are impossible to clean, the ones with flip up straws are impossible to clean, the ones with sports caps are impossible to clean!!

The only one I've had any success with is the Nuby one and it has a soft plastic spout which can be flipped inside out like a bottle teat.

[NestaFiesta]

Stick them in the dishwasher- the high temps get them really clean.Agree they're hard to wash manually though!

[Firawla]

I think they should be okay in the dishwasher, that's what I do with mine although I agree they do look quite unhygenic and are annoying - but better than having dc spilling normal cups of drink everywhere

[whoopstheregoesmymerkin]

I milton all ours - keep a jug full of liquid on the drainer.

[Rollmops]

Well, considering that there are over 100 million bacteria in every millilitre of saliva in your mouth from more than 600 different species, what harm would a few additional million do, really?

[Linziwam]

Considering my dd goes around actively swapping dummies, sippy cups, half eaten food and having 'kissy time' with the majority of her friends I've had to train myself to subscribe to the 'a few germs are good for them' school!

[nappyaddict]

Normal drinks don't bother me but it's the milk that bothers me cos of upset tummies. They always start to smell and I've seen some even start to go furry. They're not cheap to keep throwing away and replacing either. Surely if you don't clean them properly no amount of sterilising is going to get them truly clean and germ free.

Even the most supposedly non-spill sippy cups seem to leak everywhere IME anyway. I am starting to wonder if the advantages are that much better than a cup TBH!

[MyFriendGouda]

YANBU, my ds always had a bog standard, he went from breast to mug,it was no hassle tbh, they are dirty grubby things !!

[KittyLilith]

YANBU I disliked them for the same reason. Not everyone has a dishwasher and they are impossible to clean properly by hand. If there's still residue left on them, then you can sterilise all you want, but they'll still have soured milk on them.

[cupcakesandbunting]

yeah they're germy. Big deal. Germs are good. They're your friend. I'm so sloppy about LO and germs. I like germs.I invite them into the house. I've got some bacteria coming over for dinner later. I do hope they're friendly.

[hellymelly]

I've never really seen the point of them.I didn't use them as I was bf and I thought they might encourage biting as some types have a bite down release.I do remember loving mine as a toddler though,and being v reluctant to give it up!

[Fibilou]

I had a sippy cup and I have the constitution of an ox. Our society is too paranoid about germs and sterilising (see hygiene hypothesis). Children need exposure to germs to develop an efficient immune system.

[KittyLilith]

Germs in general..fine. Kids get bugs, they play in mud, bring me wonderfully exciting things like slugs to look at, stroke animals...all sorts and I think this is good for them. Three day old soured milk stuck in the crevices of their cup though...yuk.

[Downdog]

I've no problem with a few germs. Don't have a dishwasher either - I just give DD's (basic orange Tommee Tippee - best by far) a good scrub. She only uses it for milk at bedtime when we read stories.

DD currently has a wee cold - but apart from that she hasn't been sick for over a year HOORAY!!! (everything crossed we will not be struck down with every pox in town now). So I don't think any germs that may be lurking on sippy bit do her any harm at all.

It is time for it to be retired - but milk & story is going to be a tough habit to break.

[cupcakesandbunting]

I have another mummy friend who washes her DD's sippy cup after EVERY use. FGS. I wash DS's at the end of every day. Sure I rinse it under the tap but wash it? Please!

It's probably nothing to do with this but guess whose child always has the sniffles/tummy bugs?

[KittyLilith]

I gave up on them because they'd stink after a few days of being washed at the end of the day. I found the non-spill proof ones easier.Totally agree by the way that being too clean causes far more problems. Life's also far too short for a sterile house.

[SloanyPony]

I dont have any of these problems with sippy cups so I can't really contribute...baffled though!

[ArsMamatoria]

Yep, they are. Kids are disgusting germy things though. Put them through the dishwasher - that'll sort them out. Cups that is, not the kids...

[KittyLilith]

Hehe my DP is our dishwasher...automated childwasher now that's an idea.

[fuzzypicklehead]

I have found that the "Anyway Up Cup" doesn't have any valves, etc that can harbour bacteria and also doesn't spill or leak. It kind of reminds me of the simple tupperware cups we had as a kid.

I've spotted them at Tesco's and Morrisons, and like them a lot.

[gomummygo]

The only one I found I could keep sanitary (non-smelly) was a Nuby cup, perhaps similar to what you have mentioned, OP. But we only used it when out in the car, and I ran it through the dishwasher inside out each time.

Am not too fussed about germs otherwise, but at that milk smell...YANBU.

[nappyaddict]

Same here gomummygo They always have to be chucked cos they STINK!