My reasons for purchasing this cup were simple-
I had been to an postnatal group when my son was 8 weeks old. Being a first time Mum I took to heart what I was told and cups were on topic. I was told that non spill cups made it harder for a baby to get drink out of the cup and free flow was better. I saw this going cheap in Asda and decided to get it. When my family knew what type I was using they got the same type for me. I now have about 5 all the same!

They are very simple to use- they have two handles making it easy to hold for a young child (my son started using his at 5 months, by 7 months we only used bottles for milk and he reliably drank from this). The lid simply clicks on rather than screws so it's very easy to remove and replace when refilling the drink.
The only gripe I have with this is you have to be careful how much drink you put in this. If you fill it too high when you snap the lid back on it wont go on spout down and spout up the drink flies in the air! I once made my son a beaker of tea (no sugar, half milk so no it wasn't boiling!) and as i snapped the lid back on tea flew in the air and splattered onto the kitchen ceiling (I still havent fully got that stain out!). I just want to add incase there is any doubt I didn't fill this drink right to the top, there was a 1-2 cm gap from drink to end of cup! There may be some way around this but I haven't found it!

The flip up lid claims to make it ideal for travel. I have however once put it in my changing bag- fully clipped on with the flip lid down only to find soggy nappies and soggy spare clothes. I now always put the beaker in a plastic carrier bag before putting it in the changing bag- just to be safe!

There is also a second stage cup which I think is used from babies to graduate on to from this. It's simply a cup like this, a little thinner and taller with no handles. Tyler prefers this one though.

Tyler is now 19 months and is taking more of an interest in cups. Presumably this is because they are what he sees me drinking from- if I'm drinking for a bottle he wants the bottle, if I'm drinking from a cup he wants the cup. He can't control a cup reliably yet though. I like the fact I can take the lid off this and use as a cup while obviously aiding him then snap it back on.

They're pretty easy to wash. They are dishwasher safe- I don't have a dishwasher myself and just handwash them but when staying at my mum they've washed just as well in a dishwasher.

The cups are advertised for 4m+. I didn't use mine that early as my son found the drink came out too fast and disliked using it.

If you turn the cup upside down drink comes out. Many babies won't do this on purpose and you'll probably only have minor spills. My son unfortunatly learnt that water came out the cup a month or two ago and if not watched he will upend his cup in any toy with holes, his highchair, his lap or his toys when giving them a pretend drink! This is a tad annoying but I can't really put it as a disadvantage as its a free flow cup so what do I expect!

These are very cheap, you can currently pick them up at Asda for just £1.48. None of my cups have ever broken despite being taken out with us numerous times and being thrown across the room at times by my toddler so for under £1.50 I think that's excellent value for money.

I'd highly reccomend, especially to those taking that step from bottle to beaker!
I would give it 5 stars but have to take off 1 for the leaking incident and my tea stained ceiling!