Skipping the sippy cup?

My girl will be 9 months on the 9th of April and I've heard a lot of negative things about sippy cups.  From them causing speech delays and also causing the same palate problems that thumb sucking and pacifiers cause.  Anyone had any luck using a straw cup from the get go?  If so, what brand and please let me know how you were successful st getting your little one to sip through the straw.  For now I've been just pouring a little water in her mouth but my mom watches her during the work week and has been giving her a spouted sippy cup but just with meals.  Any advice is welcome!