TalkTools® Itsy™ Cup: The All-in-One Self-Feeding Transition Cup
A clinician-designed, all-in-one cup that guides babies and toddlers from caregiver-led drinking to straw sipping to fully independent open-cup drinking, including those with sensory, neurological, or developmental differences.
- The Itsy™ Cup is an all-in-one system with four interchangeable components: cup, lid, straw, and flange, allowing therapists and caregivers to customize assembly to match a child’s current drinking level.
- Designed by SLP-OT teams and inspired by TalkTools® founder Sara Rosenfeld-Johnson, it is part of the Itsy™ Collection, the most comprehensive self-feeding platform available for children with developmental differences.
- Appropriate for infants as young as 6 months through toddlers and older children who need therapeutic support for straw drinking or open-cup independence.
- Made from 100% LFGB platinum-grade silicone, BPA-free, BPS-free, phthalate-free, dishwasher-safe, and microwave-safe.
- Part of the broader Itsy™ Collection alongside the Itsy™ Spoons and Itsy™ Plate, all designed to work together as a comprehensive self-feeding system.
The TalkTools® Itsy™ Cup is a modular, clinician-designed drinking cup that supports the transition from bottle or breast to straw drinking to open-cup independence. It includes four interchangeable components and is especially designed for babies and children with sensory processing differences, neurological differences, or physical or developmental challenges that make standard cup transitions difficult.
Learning to drink independently is a critical developmental milestone, and for many babies and children, the path from bottle feeding to open-cup drinking can present real challenges. The TalkTools® Itsy™ Cup was created to make that transition evidence-informed, therapist-guided, and accessible for all children, including those who need extra support.
What Is the TalkTools® Itsy™ Cup?
The Itsy™ Cup is an all-in-one drinking cup developed as part of the Itsy™ Collection, a self-feeding system inspired by TalkTools® founder Sara Rosenfeld-Johnson and designed and tested by speech-language pathologist and occupational therapist teams together with their clients.
The cup includes four separate, interchangeable components:
- Cup body, the core silicone vessel, sized appropriately for small hands
- Lid, a secure-fitting lid that minimizes spills during early stages
- Straw, supports the transition to self-directed straw drinking, a key oral motor milestone
- Flange, provides additional support and helps guide safe liquid intake
Each configuration can be customized to match a child’s current skill level and therapeutic goals, making this cup unlike generic retail alternatives designed solely for neurotypical developmental progression.
Who Is the Itsy™ Cup Designed For?
The Itsy™ Cup is appropriate for a broad population of children, including those with typical development and those with more complex feeding needs. It is specifically indicated for:
Clinical Applications for SLPs and OTs
Speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists use the Itsy™ Cup as a therapeutic tool within feeding treatment plans. Its modular design makes it ideal for:
Straw Drinking Hierarchy
Straw drinking is a specific oral motor skill that requires coordinated lip closure, tongue retraction, and graded negative pressure. The Itsy™ Cup’s straw component can be used as part of a structured straw training program, allowing clinicians to introduce straw drinking in a controlled, low-pressure way.
Open-Cup Independence
Once straw drinking is established, the cup can be reconfigured to support direct open-cup drinking. This mirrors the evidence-based developmental sequence recommended by ASHA and pediatric feeding specialists for progressing liquid intake skills.
Sensory Introduction to New Feeding Tools
For children with tactile defensiveness or hypersensitivity around the mouth, the soft silicone of the Itsy™ Cup allows for gradual, low-pressure familiarization. Therapists can introduce the cup as a sensory exploration object before any drinking is attempted.
The Itsy™ Cup is not just a consumer product, it is a clinical tool. What sets it apart from standard commercial cups is that it was designed from the ground up by SLP-OT teams with therapeutic intent. The customizable assembly means a clinician can systematically advance or retreat based on a child’s real-time progress, rather than being locked into one cup configuration.
Materials and Safety
The Itsy™ Cup is made entirely from LFGB platinum-grade silicone, which exceeds FDA standards for food-safe materials. It is:
- Free from BPA, BPS, PVC, phthalates, and other potentially harmful toxins
- Dishwasher-safe for straightforward sanitation between uses
- Microwave-safe for warming liquids as needed
- Durable and resistant to food odors or flavor transfer
- Performs optimally between 32°F and 212°F (0°C–100°C)
The Itsy™ Collection: A Complete Self-Feeding System
The Itsy™ Cup is part of TalkTools®’ comprehensive Itsy™ Collection, a coordinated set of self-feeding tools that work together to support the full arc of feeding development. The collection also includes:
- Itsy™ Spoons, a two-spoon set (textured and smooth) designed to support different stages of self-feeding skill development
- Itsy™ Plate, a divided silicone suction plate designed for selective eaters and children learning food exploration
The collection was developed with the understanding that self-feeding readiness involves not just oral motor ability, but also sensory regulation, fine motor development, and psychosocial participation in mealtimes.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can the Itsy™ Cup be introduced?
How is the Itsy™ Cup different from standard training cups?
Can the Itsy™ Cup be used in speech therapy sessions?
Is the Itsy™ Cup appropriate for children with autism or Down syndrome?
- TalkTools®. Itsy™ Collection product overview. talktools.com
- TalkTools®. Itsy™ Cup product page. talktools.com
- ASHA Practice Portal: Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing. asha.org