Many experts raise serious concerns regarding the amber teething necklace, bracelets, and necklaces. If your toddler or baby is teething, it’s not always easy. Sometimes, the tiny teeth pop out without much fuss however, other times you’re faced with night-time wake-ups or all day frightening, and one angry child. So it’s no surprise that you’re searching for ways to help the child to get better. Amber necklaces for teething promise an organic, non-drug solution to alleviate the discomfort of teething for your child However, there are many experts who highlight major issues. This is what you should be aware of.
What are the amber necklaces that are used for teething?
Necklaces made of amber beads. Sometimes, they are adorned with an electronic fastener or other kind of clasp. They’re specifically designed to ease teething discomfort. (There are amber teething necklaces.) Amber is a natural material made when resin from trees is fossilized. There are many kinds of amber named after the regions where they’re located. One of the most well-known is Baltic amber.
Why do people wear amber necklaces for teething?
You might have seen others wearing them at playgroups. They’re very popular and widely accessible, and many parents are adamant about their use. Amber is made up of succinic acid that is believed to have anti-inflammatory and pain-killing properties. The theory is that when beads are placed on the face, the succinic acids are dispersed into our body, bringing relief from the tenderness and pain of teething. In theory, this could be an excellent idea, particularly because baby teething gels designed to alleviate gums that hurt have been removed from Canadian stores in recent times and are now were banned from the United States by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Do necklaces that have amber teething are effective?
It’s not as obvious. A study conducted in 2019 of Canadian as well as Australian researchers released in the journal of medicine BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies found that the succinic acid present in Baltic amber doesn’t release when placed on the skin, and that succinic acids are not an anti-inflammatory. “There’s not enough evidence to prove that necklaces that contain succinic acid work however there’s plenty of evidence to suggest they’re hazardous.
Are necklaces for teething made of amber safe?
There is a growing body of research suggesting that shows amber teething jewelry and necklaces are not safe for children. It is recommended that the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS), American Academy of Pediatrics and the FDA caution parents and caregivers to not wear amber necklaces for teething for toddlers and babies.
What are the dangers of amber necklaces for teething?
Choking and strangulation are the most common risks. “You generally have a rope tied around the neck of an infant,” says Abdulsatar, who co-authored a report with the CPS in 2018 , which outlined the dangers. She refers to a report from Nova Scotia where parents brought their four-month-old child to the hospital with signs of strangulation to the neck and face after a blood test and an investigation the only reason was it could be the infant’s first night of bed wearing a teething necklace. “The necklace was bent for a portion during the evening, blocking blood and air from getting to the head of the baby,” she says.
The study also contained survey findings from Canadian doctors who had reported instances of children who swallowed the clasp magnet, strangulation that is not fatal through the necklace, choking on the beads, as well as contact skin irritation. Fortunately, there have been no deaths or severe injuries were reported from Canada However, there was at least an incident that killed a person within California and a near-strangulation incident in Australia.
Certain amber teething necklaces are advertised using “breakaway” closures which let go with a tiny quantity of pressure, releasing the child from a snag on something. But a study in 2018 carried out by Nova Scotia and published in Paediatrics & Child Health, tested 15 different teething necklaces that were purchased from retail stores within Atlantic Canada. Necklaces were evaluated using the weight of 15 pounds (the industry norm used to test jewellery for children) as well as the 1.6-pound weight (the amount of force needed to block or occlude the airway of a child). The research found that seven of the fifteen necklaces were not able to open using the force of 15 pounds and eight of them did not open using 1.6 pounds. The researchers found that “these necklaces could pose the risk of strangulation to infant children, if they are trapped.”
Then, the necklaces worn by teething babies can be the source of harmful bacteria that are absorbed from the baby’s surroundings.
What happens if my child wears an amber necklace for teething only when they’re awake and under supervision?
“It’s difficult to focus on a toddler or an infant all the time. It’s a matter of going back to the risk and the benefits,” Abdulsatar says. “There are safer options to do. Strangulation or choking takes just several minutes.”
What alternatives are there to the amber necklaces that teeth?
Abdulsatar suggests chewing toys made from silicone, which can be placed in the freezer. or fridge to help soothe gums that are aching. Fruit or vegetables frozen inside the baby’s feeding device (a small mesh container with handles) is also a great option to test. The baby might also love chewing on an unclean washed and frozen washcloth. It’s also okay to take pain medication over-the-counter including acetaminophen as well as Ibuprofen for children who are still teething (as as long as you adhere to the directions regarding the timing, body weight and dosage).
