A toddler with a broken arm offers a unique perspective

As a mom of two boys, my family has had our share of leaking cups in the past. Over time we gradually replaced the leaky styles with non-leaky sippy cups, leaving us with an ample supply of various cups that we--and our kids--love.

However, none of them would help remedy my unexpected sippy situation. My 20-month-old fell (using his outstretched hand to brace himself) and suffered buckle fractures in both forearm bones. Oblivious to the fact that this would open a whole new world of sippy-cup struggles, we went about our business but quickly discovered that many of the cups we've been using for years weren't going to cut it for a kid with one arm in a long-arm cast. Adding to the challenge: My son is right-hand dominant, and guess which arm was broken?

I was unexpectedly thrown back into the search for the best sippy cups. The Playtex Lil' Gripper Cups (*Est. $7 for two 9-ounce cups) we relied on daily suddenly were met with attitude and tossed violently to the side. The cups are too fat, despite their contoured middle, so he couldn't get an adequate grasp to properly tilt the cup to his mouth. Drinking with just one hand seems a simple task for adults, but proves challenging to toddlers who are still developing muscle strength and coordination.

The first day, an adult held and tilted the cup for him. I worried that his temporary loss of independence would somehow compromise his development or lead to a long-term habit. So I looked to a cup with handles; it seemed the ideal solution.

I remember having several Playtex First Sipsters (*Est. $6 for one 7-ounce cup)--the handles are built in to the lid so there's no chance of misalignment with the spout. A search of our kitchen came up empty. Because of their smaller capacity, I assumed we discarded them in favor of larger sippy cups that reduced the amount of demands for "More! More!" we'd hear in the course of a day. Something I'd endure if it eased my son's frustration. After a small investment in a few First Sipsters later, we realized why they've vanished from our house. Filling them up isn't their problem; it's keeping the liquid inside the cup instead of on the carpet, the floor or the couch. The First Sipsters quickly overstayed their welcome.

Over the course of two days we learned that the 9-ounce Playtex Insulator (*Est. $5 for one 9-ounce cup) is taller, but not slim enough to achieve adequate leverage. Transposing the First Sipster lid on the Insulator cup works -- although the handles are met with narrow-eyed suspicion. Oddly enough, this configuration didn't have the same leaking problem as the smaller cup and lid combination.

The Nuby Sipper straw cup was also a contender. However, my son just looked uncomfortable drinking from it, and opening and closing the straw valve was an extraordinarily frustrating process with one hand.

Finally, we're saved by the Playtex Sipster (*Est. $6 for two 9-ounce cups), which has the same 9-ounce capacity as the Insulator cup. The lack of double-wall insulation makes them slimmer, so my son's hand surrounds more of the cup's circumference and allows him to easily tilt it to any angle (without leaking!). Total upheaval brought back into harmony, all by a single sippy cup!