The First Years Learning Curve Toy Story Insulated Sippy Cup, 2-Pack

We have a 4 year old and 2 year old and have tried many different sippies by many of the companies (Gerber, Nuby, Playtex, First Years etc). The two that we like the most are from Playtex - the Insulator (with valve) and these cups (valve-less). We used the Insulator exclusively for about 2+ years and in this past year, started to use these valve-less cups because we got tired of cleaning the valves and the nooks and crannies in the lids so we tossed them all. We really love these valve-less cups. The spout is larger, but both my girls have not had a problem with them - even my very petite 2 year old with her small mouth can drink from these cups at 1 year old. The designs are very pretty (we have Cars, Princesses, Baby Elmo/Zoe, Thomas the Train) and stay bright and unscratched, whereas designs on the Insulator rubbed off after time. The main complaint we have with these is that they do leak if you get a defective one (the Insulators never leaked). We have a total of 8 cups (four 2-packs) and can't give our 2 year old 3 of them because they leaked from the spout right from the start. Even when we exchanged a 2-pack for another, the 2nd pack had one that leaked, so we just kept them. Too much of a hassle to return again. If you wash the lids in the dishwasher, the heat can warp the clear rubbery part of the spout and make it leak too. So while we'll continue to use them, we just have to mark the lids that leak and for the ones that don't, wash the lids by hand. Every couple of weeks, I still have to take a sharp knife, cover it with paper towel, and run the tip around the inside edge of the lid to wipe off milky/mildewy residues that can get trapped there. Otherwise, they are quite sturdy and great for keeping liquids cold.

After reading the previous review I had to comment. We have three kids and have used these cups for years (we have probable owned, and lost, over a dozen) and have never had one break or leak. The lids have valves built in, which gives the lid a smooth surface that is easy to keep clean, unlike the 4 or 5 other brands available. The spout is sloped, which makes it harder for the little ones to chew on them. These are great cups.

We've tried many. LOVE that there are no valves to clean or get knocked off. Insulation keeps them cooler longer. Our kids (ages 1 and 2) have no trouble sucking through them. One big benefit not mentioned: they are not made with polycarbonate plastics (new info. 8/07 from the NIH indicate they believe that bottles and sippy cups made from polycarbonate plastics can cause long term neurological and behavioral problems). These cups are made from BPA-free plastics so 1 less worry.