Teething can be painful. As a parent, it is very disheartening to see your baby suffer from teething pain and discomfort [1]. This may make you desperate to find a solution. This is when teething jewelry can come to your rescue. Teething necklaces and beads have become an increasingly popular alternative treatment to ease teething pain and discomfort.
You must have seen babies around you adorning their teeth with amber beads tied around their necks or wrists. These are not just some usual accessorizing pieces of jewelry but are believed to be Baltic amber necklaces that can help with teething pain [2]. However, anything around a baby’s neck can be alarming since it poses a risk of choking or strangulation. So are amber necklaces effective and safe? What risks do they pose? Are there any alternatives to these necklaces? We have answers to all your queries. So read on!
In This Article
- What is an Amber Teething Necklace?
- Are Amber Teething Necklaces Safe For Babies?
- Why Can Amber Teething Necklaces Be Used For Babies?
- Are There Any Benefits of Amber Teething Necklaces For Babies
- Risks of Using Amber Teething Necklaces For Babies
- Precautions to Take When Using Amber Teething Necklaces For Babies
- What Alternatives Can Be Given to a Baby?
- FAQ’s
What is an Amber Teething Necklace?
Amber teething necklaces consist of amber, a fossilized tree resin and not an actual gemstone. Most amber teething necklaces are made of either raw or heat-treated and polished Baltic amber beads.
When a baby wears an amber teething necklace, their body heat stimulates the production of a trace amount of oil containing carboxylic or succinic acid. When your baby chews on the beads, the secreted acid enters the bloodstream to provide pain relief. Proponents say that this oil has anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, babies suffering from aching and swollen gums experience relief and are less cranky [2].
Are Amber Teething Necklaces Safe For Babies?
Amber teething necklaces are popular among millions of parents to relieve teething pain and discomfort. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend using them for two main reasons:
- The amber or Baltic beads in the necklace are a choking hazard
- The necklace itself can cause suffocation due to strangulation around the baby’s neck, which can be fatal [3]
Why Can Amber Teething Necklaces Be Used For Babies?
Teething can begin as early as three months and can be extremely painful for a baby. Parents start giving babies Amber teething necklaces when the baby turns 3 or 4 months old or when the baby starts experiencing the first symptoms of teething. Babies can continue wearing them until they turn about 3 years old or after the teething process is complete.
During teething, gum inflammation and tenderness are common. A mild fever and general irritability may also occur. In addition, sleeping difficulties, excessive saliva, tugging on the ears, and a huge amount of screaming can be exhausting both for the baby and the parent. That’s why many parents try goods like amber necklaces.
Baltic amber comes from fossil tree resin. Succinic acid is present in amber and is generated when heated. When a baby wears it, the body temperature warms the amber, producing succinic acid, which the skin absorbs.
How Long Can Amber Teething Necklaces Be Used?
Amber has a shelf life of about two years, depending on how you store it. However, it can become fragile and fade over time. This happens particularly if subjected to detergents and creams, fragrances, salt, or heat
Are There Any Benefits of Amber Teething Necklaces For Babies
There are several advantages to using Baltic amber jewelry regularly, which include the following:
- Pain reduction since amber secretes succinic acids, a natural chemical that helps reduce pain in teething babies. This keeps the baby happy and active.
- Reduces inflammation, since succinic acid is a potent anti-inflammatory agent. Reduced inflammation can soothe sore gums and minimize swelling and discomfort.
- Amber beads help soothe sore and painful gums, thereby improving your baby’s sleep.
- Due to reduced inflammation, it can make your baby less irritable and cranky. This can improve their quality of life [4]. Happier kids, better parents, and a more comfortable home!
[Read: Does Teething Cause Sleep Disturbance In Babies?]
However, it is essential to seek advice from your baby’s pediatric doctor before using amber necklaces.
Risks of Using Amber Teething Necklaces For Babies
Several incidences of unintentional choking and strangulation have been reported due to the use of these necklaces [3].
1. Potential Choking Risk
The most common risk associated with using amber necklaces is the fear of choking. This could occur while the baby is asleep or while fastening the piece of jewelry. The necklace can also tighten and strangulate the baby’s neck, especially while playing.
2. Bacterial Spread
This jewelry can also harbor hazardous bacteria or fungi. It’s normal for newborns to acquire microorganisms from their surroundings. However, increased salivation and drooling can harbor more bacteria and cause infections.
3. Risk of Strangulation
The necklace itself can be a strangulation hazard when left unattended. It can tighten or coil around your baby’s neck, strangling them. Suffocation due to strangulation is the leading cause of death among infants younger than a year.
[Read: Infant Choking]
Precautions to Take When Using Amber Teething Necklaces For Babies
As a parent, you can take some precautions while using amber necklaces for your babies. These include:
- Supervising your baby when they are wearing such necklaces
- Having your baby wear the beads around their wrists instead of neck
- Removing the necklace when you cannot attend to the baby, even if it is only for a short period
- Removing the amber necklace or bracelet while your baby is sleeping or even napping
- Considering alternative solutions to relieve teething pain
- Seeking advice from your baby’s pediatric doctor before using this jewelry
What Alternatives Can Be Given to a Baby?
Teething can be a painful experience for both babies and their parents. Teething necklaces, on the other hand, are not a safe option. Below are some healthier methods for keeping your infant comfortable throughout teething.
- Gum massage is an effective and safe alternative since it helps relieve pain and discomfort. You need to just use gentle finger pressure to rub your baby’s sore and inflamed gums.
- Frozen or chilled washcloths can also help ease pain and discomfort. However, avoid freezing teething rings, as they can be too hard for your baby’s teeth.
- Chamomile is well-known for its calming and soothing properties. It can also be used topically to relieve discomfort. However, seek advice from your baby’s pediatric doctor.
- Teething toys are a popular and excellent option. They are easy to sterilize and reuse. You can get them in different attractive colors and shapes, and you can easily cool them for added comfort and pain relief.
- Popsicles produced from real cranberry juice can be calming for a teething baby. You do not have to allow your infant to consume the entire popsicle. Just give them a few minutes to bite on it or chew on it.
- Consult your baby’s pediatric doctor for pain relief medication like ibuprofen. Remember, numbing gels or creams containing benzocaine are not recommended for babies.
Although you may see babies and small children wearing teething necklaces, it’s crucial to note that the medical fraternity does not encourage these due to their potential threats to a child.
There are numerous effective alternatives to amber teething necklaces for babies that you can opt for. Consult your baby’s doctor to discover the perfect and safest option for them.
[Read: Chamomile Tea For Babies]
FAQ’s
1. Are Amber Necklaces Toxic?
The Amber Necklace is not hazardous in and of itself. They function via a chemical called succinic acid. It releases oil produced from amber when it comes into contact with the body.
2. How Soon Would the Amber Necklace Take to Show Results?
The benefits of amber necklaces show up within hours. Nevertheless, each individual is unique. It may take up to 1-2 weeks for the others.
3. Is it Safe to Wear Amber Baby Necklaces For Babies?
As per growing evidence, amber teething jewelry, especially necklaces, is not safe for babies.
Read Also: Soothing Essential Oils For Teething Babies
4. Do Amber Bead Necklaces Work For Teething?
Many parents believe that amber bead necklaces help relieve teething pain in babies. When they chew on the amber bead it releases a special oil that contains a pain reliever. This also helps numb sore gums. However, there is no scientific research or evidence.
5. How Do You Use An Amber Bead Necklace For Teething?
Amber bead necklaces for teething are meant to be worn against the skin, such as around the neck or wrist. The beads release an oil consisting of succinic acid which is supposed to enter the bloodstream and act as a natural pain reliever.
References
- Teething in children and the alleviation of symptoms – [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12415773/]
- Use of the amber teething necklace by the child population: risks versus benefits – [https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9150903/]
- Teething necklaces and bracelets pose a significant danger to infants and toddlers – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6462135/]
- Baltic amber teething necklaces: could succinic acid leaching from beads provide anti-inflammatory effects? – [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31277614/]
