Traveling with a baby is no easy task. You will face challenges before you even step out the door, from figuring out if you’re overpacking or under-packing to ensuring you have all your essentials like diapers, wipes, and medication. You also need to make sure that your luggage and any strollers or carriers do not interfere with your mobility, especially since it’s likely that you will need to navigate crowded places. You also have to create a plan for feeding your little one on the go, and this is where your baby’s sippy cup comes in handy, as it’s easy to refill whenever needed. Unfortunately, this also means that you need to make a plan for keeping your baby’s sippy cup clean while traveling.
Tips to Keep Your Baby’s Sippy Cup Clean While Traveling
1. Invest in a Good Sippy Cup
Unlike cheaper sippy cups, a good sippy cup will have a smooth finish without manufacturing defects like grooves or pits where milk residue can accumulate. This does not mean you must break the bank to get a good sippy cup because you can get a high-quality product for under $10. When choosing, look for the best sippy cups vetted by independent experts so that you can decide which one to buy based on your baby’s needs.
2. Carry a Travel-sized Cleaning Kit
A travel-sized cleaning kit is your best friend when keeping your baby’s sippy cup clean on the go. When cleaning your baby’s sippy cups, you can pull out your kit with its compact bottle brush and scrub the cups clean with soap and running water. If you are unsure about the water at a public facility, you can give the cups a final rise with a little drinking water to err on the side of caution. Some kits come with multi-functional tools, such as the outer case doubles as a tiny drying rack, making washing and drying sippy cups easier. Some babies find it easier to transition away from the bottle when using a sippy cup with a straw. Keep in mind that some straws are easier to clean compared to others – for instance, the Munchkin and Mama Bear cups are very easy to clean while traveling.
3. Pack Multiple Cups
Traveling with a baby means you need to cut back on some of the additional items you would like to carry because every bit of space is valuable. However, don’t try to manage with just one sippy cup throughout; that will send your stress levels through the roof. Instead, carry multiple sippy cups in Ziploc or reusable silicone bags; one bag contains the clean cups, and the other one contains the used ones. Use stackable sippy cups if you need to cut back on space. If you’ve got a new set of sippy cups, let your baby use them for weeks or at least days before you travel so that they have time to adjust to the new cups. If you’re still not convinced that you need multiple sippy cups, imagine what it would be like to try to clean sippy cups in the cramped space of an airplane restroom!
4. Avoid Hard-to-Clean Drinks While Traveling
Hydration is vital while traveling, as babies can quickly get dehydrated. You might be tempted to fill your little one’s sippy cup with their favorite juice instead of water while traveling to help keep them calm. This isn’t a good idea because the juice leaves residue behind and creates a breeding ground for bacteria. Stick with water – the rule of thumb for drinking water for children is that they should drink the number of 8-ounce cups of water equal to their age. This means that a one-year-old would drink one 8-ounce cup of water while a two-year-old would drink two of these cups.
5. Rinse after Every Use
One of the simplest ways to keep your baby’s sippy cup clean while traveling is to rinse it thoroughly after every use. Even if you have multiple sippy cups and plan to wash all the used ones at once, a quick rinse will prevent milk or juice residue from drying inside the cup, which will be difficult to clean later on. If you don’t have access to running water, a quick rinse with bottled water will do. Rinsing not only reduces residue but also reduces the buildup of bacteria.
