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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that 360 (Miracle) cups aren’t bad for baby?

98 replies

ToneDeath · 07/06/2023 09:10

I have 3 kids and I think they’ve all used these cups but tbh my memory of which cups which child has liked is (understandably) fuzzy. Because they’re just f*ing cups.

Anyway, had my 1y check with my youngest yesterday and was asked all about weaning / cups / bottles etc.

Baby is 1yo in 3 weeks and is now taking zero bottles, only cups, although she still has formula twice a day.

(To avoid the drip-feed when the criticism comes rolling in… I am an advocate of breastfeeding and ebf my first 2. Sadly my third was born by crash and we were separated for a long time. I pumped and she was fed my milk by tiny cups and then bottles. I quit pumping at 6 weeks, because it was destroying me.)

Back to the present: HV at the appointment asked about the type of cup. I explained 360 but that she can also drink from open cup (a godsend because I forget her cup at least once a week when we go somewhere)
She can’t drink from a straw. God knows I’ve tried. My other kids nailed the straw pretty early so obvs. it is a bit frustrating but I’ve never met an adult that can’t use a straw, so I’m not worried.

HV then talked about cups for ages. Probably 4-5 minutes of a 20 minute appointment. It was pretty over the top, imo. 360s are bad for teeth and jaws and “children have been known to choke on them”

Um. What?

The gist was - always use an open cup. If you’re worried about spills, use a weighted straw. 360s are devil spawn.

I nodded along politely and promised I would try harder with the straw. (Actually thinking about quitting my job so that I can devote myself fully to it) and left but, basically, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to use a 360 cup. I think they’re fine. What do you think?

IABU: burn the cups
IANBU: 360 cups are fine

OP posts:
Lilmissmissy · 07/06/2023 09:33

My HV gave me a grilling too when i showed her the 360. I mainly use it when we are out so there is less spillages!

I honestly wouldnt take much notice, the fact LO is able to drink out of a open cup is great

MistyFrequencies · 07/06/2023 09:36

Mine both were breastfed steadfast bottle refusers and would literally only drink from me directly or the 360 cup. So the 360 cup saved my sanity. I will not hear a bad word said about it!

takealettermsjones · 07/06/2023 09:37

My DD is nearly 3 and still loves her 360 cup. She can and will drink out of anything and everything else - cups, glasses, straws, sports bottles... She just likes the 360 because she's used to it and it's purple 😆 she gets it once a day and her teeth and speech are perfectly fine. We'll phase it out eventually. I see no issue tbh.

TheGoogleMum · 07/06/2023 09:37

I thought 360s were meant to be good! If your child can use an open cup I wouldn't worry at all (my DD is 4 and still isn't very good at straws but can use open cup)

imapterodactyl · 07/06/2023 09:39

YANBU. I don't think you are anyway! My HV never mentioned it as an issue to me with either of mine. They're 4 & 5 now and perfectly able to drink from an open cup. The 360 cups were great in preventing mine from chucking whole cups of water in their faces. And easily transportable etc. we still have 2 and they'll occasionally ask for it if playing outside.

I'd have nodded along and carried on anyway too I think. I really don't see what's so bad about them unless you're filling it with hot drinks or sugary stuff.

eatyourveggies · 07/06/2023 09:39

I had similar at my HV appt yesterday. I didn't realise they were bad - my older son was fine with them. If I had more time I'd look into the research and evidence to substantiate the risks.

Such a hassle getting baby changed out of wet clothes all the time over winter. Even with bibs they still seem to get soaked. I don't mind spillages as much in warmer weather.

Good luck!

Starsnspikes · 07/06/2023 09:40

Rubbish. They're not the preferred choice by feeding/speech therapists because they do encourage an unnatural motion with the jaw to get the water out. But it's unlikely to be a problem. The fact you've got her off bottles at this age is great, that'd be the bigger issue.(although bottle feeding past 1 is also fine and won't cause instant tooth decay as some sources would have you believe!).

Re the straw, my 13mo has been an absolute bugger for not grasping how to drink from one. I finally cracked it with a wide metal straw the other day! I had a smoothie and she wanted some so I let her try. I think the larger straw and the fact it was metal gave her something to properly grasp with her lips, plus the determination to try the nice sweet drink she doesn't normally get to have!

Springbuds38 · 07/06/2023 09:40

You’re not being unreasonable at all, I don’t think health visitors live in the real world sometimes with the advice they give.

JenniferBarkley · 07/06/2023 09:59

According to that infographic sippy cups are bad too?

I mean I would love to be the person who had time to give a baby an open cup (and support them with it and the clean up) every time, but in the real world...

EggbertHeartsTina · 07/06/2023 11:19

There is always something to beat parents over the head with. This is just another thing. I'd take with a pinch of salt. In fact no, I'd ignore!

bussteward · 07/06/2023 11:23

Straws are the bane of my life, though. I hate when we’re out and DD is given an open cup with a paper straw to fiddle and faff with and gnaw on and generally wreak havoc.

I remember buying into the open cup thing when weaning her though and buying the little baby cups that were recommended on here for tiny hands, basically like little plastic shot glasses. So she still got soaked but only by a shot of water at a time.

Sippy cups and 360 forever

SunnySaturdayMorning · 07/06/2023 11:25

YABU. They are bad for babies. They force the mouth into an unnatural shape and can affect speech and oral development.

They should be drinking from a cup with a straw (one with a valve is best) or an open cup.

Original poster
ToneDeath · 07/06/2023 11:42

Wikipedia seems to think that beakers have been around since Neolithic humans, with evidence that children were even drinking animal milk from their rudimentary “sippy cups”.

On reflection, I think mankind will be okay. Even if all of our young are raised to suckle water from a 360 cup.

OP posts:
gogohmm · 07/06/2023 11:53

Well I have two healthy adult children who used cups (sippy cups with valves, the anywayupcup I think it was called) from when I weaned from breastfeeding. I don't know anyone who used open cups until 3 or so then, no issues at all

gogohmm · 07/06/2023 11:58

They both did use straws too but mostly out drinking drinks I'm pretty sure health visitors wouldn't approve of both are adults and slim now

adomizo · 07/06/2023 12:25

What am I reading ? Sounds mad. All cups are good...mix it up a bit with different cups for different circumstances...just move on from bottles as much as possible. Put water in the cup..end of. Who could spend this much time and energy on worrying about cups? Yanbu OP.

cadburyegg · 07/06/2023 12:28

God, some people have so much time on their hands. My 5yo still uses a 360 cup very occasionally if he is poorly and wants to lie on the sofa. They are a godsend.

KnittedCardi · 07/06/2023 12:28

That graphic is insane. It seems based on the premise that children have them in their mouths constantly, and use nothing else. As with all things, use them appropriately, don't allow constant sipping, and use along with other cups. Mine had a penchant for afternoon tea from a cup and saucer, because that's how Nonna drank it, I suppose that's verbotten too.

WaltzingWaters · 07/06/2023 12:35

My DS 14 months loves his 360 cup and has used it since 6 months. I think it’s great as I can leave it where he can reach so he can drink water whenever. I thought they were supposed to be better than sippy cups! Hmm.
Obviously proper cups are best and it’s great your Dd can use one. But obviously at that age they’re not something you can just leave around for the baby to sip as and when they want.

sourcorn · 07/06/2023 12:40

They always pick on something. Mine had a right go that DC was still having a bottle. So you're doing better than I was.

MyUsernameIsBetterThanYours · 07/06/2023 12:43

Well someone should let our nursery know because they use 360s for all the little ones. And we use a tommee tippee sippy cup at home. Oops.

What about water bottles? Are they ok?!

Lemonyyy · 07/06/2023 12:44

My 7 and 9 year olds used 360 cups and they are no fine, no speech or dental issues. Health visitors just like to have something to beat parents over the head with!

Newname211 · 07/06/2023 12:55

I remember there being quite a stir about them when my 7yo was a baby; but that was due to their being so many parts and mould growing inside. My daughter never grasped one anyway.

The “rules” definitely changed between my kids. When my eldest was a baby; the advice was a free flow spouted cup only (ie the kind with a hard plastic spout) but my health visitor told me that straw cups are now preferred.

We use the munchkin soft spouted cup and it’s brilliant. He can also use an open cup; but like you say it’s messy (especially when he decides he’s had enough!)

I don’t think any child is going to be damaged by their beaker of choice.

queenatom · 07/06/2023 13:15

I swear HVs act as though a child drinking from anything other than an open cup after the age of 12 months exactly will cause their face to cave in on itself and all of their teeth to fall out. My 18mo son doesn't get on with a 360 and prefers a weighted straw cup, but I know kids who prefer all different sorts, and some who are even still on baby bottles. Provided you keep offering them different things to try periodically I can't imagine it's a problem.

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