Soggy Baby, soggy bag (Heinz Baby Basics Training Beaker)

Member Name: Gretta

Product:	Heinz Baby Basics Training Beaker
Date:	27/03/01 (520 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Soft plastic, good handle, excellant first cup

Disadvantages: Leaks, not good for when out, not durable

This four part beaker consists of a cup with super soft handles, with grips for tiny fingers, a top with a medium flow soft spout, a clear lid supposedly for preventing spills when transporting, and a clear plastic top with for teaching drinking from an adult cup.

First Step - Cup with lid
When baby is first learning to drink from a cup you use the lid, which is just like those on most beakers, except that the spout is made from a softer material. This is very kind on babies teeth and gums and a good transition from bottles, as almost as soft as the teat on a bottle. The flow is also quite slow, so although baby doesn't have to suck too hard to get it out, it doesn't rush out too fast either.

Second Step - Cup with clear top
This is a piece of plastic that sits inside the very top of the cup. It has two small slits that allow a small amount of water through at a time. This is a great idea, as many kids are put off from using an adult cup by being covered with water during their first attempts.

Third Step - Cup
When your child has mastered this you can remove the top and use it as a cup. It is much easier for them to use than a traditional cup as the plastic is light weight, so not too heavy for them, there are two handles which are soft to hold and formed to the fit the shape of tiny hands, and you don't have to worry about it braking, as its plastic.

You can also buy a Baby Basics first cup, which is smaller, and doesn't have handles, that comes with the same soft spout. This is also cheaper.

There were many good things about this cup. The design is innovative, and the second stage top is not something I've come across before. It comes in a range of bright colours. It is easy to clean, with no awkward bits for dirt to get trapped in.

I did though have a few problems.
* The first step top didn't fit very snugly, so if it was too full, or my son tipped it too far it
would fall off and cover him.
* The lid for stopping it leaking was awful, and even if that didn't fall off in my bag, the actual top often did, so one way or another it was useless to travel with.
* The top only fits when used with the first stage lid, so when using the other stages, you have to bring the drink in another container and transfer it, if travelling.
* The soft teat was not very durable, and my son bit through it quite quickly.

In conclusion, a very good idea, but some design flaws that make it impractical for use all the time. I would buy one, the second and third stage cups are great ideas, but you may need another cup, for example an any-way-up cup, for when you're out.

Summary: