When babies first move away from the bottle or breast, many parents assume that any cup which delivers liquid is doing the job. If milk or water is going in, it must be working. But from an oral development perspective, how a baby drinks matters just as much as what they drink from.
At Pigeon, we often see confusion between learning to sip and learning to drink. While the two may look similar on the surface, they involve very different levels of motor coordination and muscle control. Understanding this distinction helps parents choose a first drinking cup that supports oral development, rather than bypassing it.
This article explains the difference between sipping and drinking, why drinking is an active developmental skill, how motor sequencing plays a role, and how the right cup design, such as StarTouch™ Drinking Cups, can support this learning process.
What Is the Difference Between Sipping and Drinking?
Sipping and drinking are often used interchangeably, but developmentally they are not the same.
Sipping is largely passive. Liquid flows into the mouth with minimal effort, often relying on gravity, suction, or compression of a valve. The lips, tongue, and jaw do not need to work in a coordinated way, and breathing is only loosely integrated.
Drinking, on the other hand, is an active, learned skill. It requires coordinated movement between the lips, tongue, jaw, and breath. The child must control flow, create an appropriate seal, manage liquid volume, and swallow safely while maintaining respiratory rhythm.
This distinction matters because early feeding experiences help shape oral motor development, which later supports speech, chewing, and swallowing skills.
Why is Drinking a Developmental Skill in Babies?
Drinking is not instinctive in the same way sucking is. Babies are born with reflexive sucking patterns that support breastfeeding and bottle feeding. Drinking from a cup requires voluntary motor control, which develops gradually.
To drink effectively, a baby must:
- Seal the lips around the cup or spout
- Elevate and stabilise the tongue
- Control jaw movement
- Coordinate swallowing with breathing
- Regulate liquid flow to avoid coughing or spilling
These actions happen in sequence. This is known as motor sequencing, and it is a key part of early oral development.
When a cup does too much of the work for the baby, these skills are not practiced or strengthened.
Understanding Motor Sequencing in Early Drinking
Motor sequencing refers to the brain’s ability to plan, coordinate, and execute a series of movements in the correct order. In drinking, this sequence includes lip closure, tongue positioning, jaw stability, liquid intake, swallow, and breath control.
Learning this sequence takes time and repetition. Early cups should support this process rather than override it.
From a developmental perspective, repeated exposure to coordinated oral movements helps:
- Build muscle strength and endurance
- Improve sensory awareness in the mouth
- Support smooth transitions to textured foods
- Lay foundations for clear speech sounds
This is why the design of a first drinking cup matters.
Why Passive Sipping Can Limit Skill Development
Some cups allow liquid to flow with very little effort. While these designs can reduce spills, they may also reduce the need for active oral control.
When sipping is passive:
- The tongue may remain low and inactive
- Lips do not need to maintain a stable seal
- Jaw movement is minimal
- Breath and swallow coordination is reduced
Over time, reliance on passive sipping can delay the development of mature drinking patterns. This does not mean these cups are harmful, but they may not actively support skill progression when used long term or as the primary drinking method.
What Speech Therapists Want Parents to Know
Speech pathologists and feeding specialists often emphasise that oral motor skills are interconnected. The muscles used for drinking are the same muscles used for chewing and speech articulation.
According to guidance from American Speech-Language-Hearing Association[1], early feeding experiences influence the development of oral structures and coordination patterns that support later communication skills.
Encouraging active drinking helps babies practice controlled lip closure, tongue elevation, and jaw stability - skills that later contribute to clearer speech and more efficient chewing.
Learning to Drink Takes Practice
Just like learning to crawl or walk, learning to drink is a process. Early attempts may involve spills, coughing, or frustration. This is a normal part of skill acquisition.
Parents often worry that difficulty with a cup means their baby is not ready. In many cases, it simply means the baby is learning.
Providing a cup that supports gradual skill development allows babies to:
- Adjust to flow at their own pace
- Learn how much liquid they can manage
- Build confidence and independence
Patience and consistency are key.
How Cup Design Influences Drinking Development
Not all cups are designed with oral development in mind. The shape, flow rate, and texture of a drinking cup can either encourage or limit active participation.
Developmentally supportive cups typically:
- Require the baby to actively draw liquid
- Encourage lip closure rather than biting
- Support natural tongue movement
- Allow controlled flow to prevent overwhelm
These features help bridge the gap between reflexive sucking and mature drinking.
The Role of StarTouchâ„¢ Drinking Cups
StarTouchâ„¢ Drinking Cups are designed to encourage active drinking rather than passive sipping, supporting coordinated use of the lips, tongue and jaw.
The short, soft silicone straw reaches only the tip of the tongue, encouraging correct tongue positioning, lip sealing, and controlled suction without biting. This supports safer swallowing patterns as babies learn to manage liquid flow.
StarTouchâ„¢ also features an EasyDrink Valve, releasing liquid only when baby actively drinks. This controlled flow helps reduce coughing, gagging and frustration while supporting coordination between swallowing and breathing.
Subtle sensory bumps guide lip placement, encouraging muscle engagement around the mouth and helping babies develop the skills needed for confident, coordinated drinking.
Why the Sip vs Drink Distinction Matters Long Term
The difference between sipping and drinking may seem subtle, but over time it influences how oral muscles are used and strengthened.
Supporting active drinking can:
- Encourage mature swallowing patterns
- Reduce reliance on compensatory movements
- Support smoother transitions to open cups
- Reinforce oral coordination needed for speech
This does not mean babies must progress perfectly or on a strict timeline. Rather, it highlights the value of choosing tools that work with development, not around it.
Spills, mess, and trial-and-error are part of learning. Drinking is a complex skill, and progress often happens gradually rather than all at once.
Providing a developmentally supportive cup, allowing time for practice, and avoiding pressure can help babies build confidence and coordination at their own pace.
Toddler Drinking Cup FAQs
What is the difference between sipping and drinking for babies?
Sipping is often passive and requires minimal oral coordination, while drinking is an active skill involving the lips, tongue, jaw, and breath working together.
Why is drinking considered a developmental skill?
Drinking requires voluntary motor control and sequencing, which develops over time and supports broader oral motor development.
Can the wrong cup affect oral development?
Cups that promote passive liquid flow may limit opportunities for babies to practise active oral skills if used long term.
When should babies start learning to drink from a cup?
Many babies begin learning to drink from around six months, alongside solid food introduction, with skills developing gradually over time.
How do StarTouchâ„¢ Drinking Cups support development?
StarTouchâ„¢ cups encourage active lip, tongue, and jaw engagement with controlled flow, supporting coordinated drinking rather than passive sipping.
