Not only have we lost track of how many times we have replaced these double-handled sippy cups and 450mL drink bottles the over the years due to the damage inflicted from our toddlers throwing them around and gnawing the ends off the silicone straws when teething.. We were shocked to notice that they repeatedly grew mould not long after having them!
While these cups are a great option to begin teaching your baby how to use a straw, it is important to be aware of the potential for mould growth, especially during trenches of sleep deprivation and the sheer busyness of motherhood.
How does this impact your baby’s sleep?
Drinking from a mold-infested bottle can lead to various health issues such as respiratory problems (coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath), allergic reactions (sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, throat irritation, or skin rashes), gastrointestinal discomfort (nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhoea), and general malaise (fatigue, irritability, lethargy, loss of appetite, or disinterest in their usual activities), all of which can disrupt and affect your baby’s sleep.
What do we recommend?
Opting for stainless steel water bottles WITH stainless steel straws to prevent mold growth and minimise exposure to chemicals that would otherwise leach into their water from standard plastic bottles, even those labelled BPA-free.
Alternatively, having a few spare bottles on hand to rotate every other day allows for thorough cleaning and drying, reducing the risk of mould growth 🫶🏻🩷💫