Do amber teething necklaces work? - Page 2

[CrunchyKnitter]

We have them! I didn't want to give DS teething tablets ALL THE TIME so this seemed like a good thing to add to the mix. I bought one for me too and I can tell you it works for me, so I assume it works for him too. I was having a ton of neck and back pain and it's definitely lessened a lot. DS is also less fussy wearing his. We do teething tablets at night since I don't let him wear it then.

I also just ordered a Hazelwood necklace for his reflux.

FYI - it seems like the lighter and milkier the color, the better it should work!

[azzeps]

I have one of these necklaces.  How do I know it is real "baltic amber"? 

I am a bit leery of it as well.  I mean, is it really safe to give a baby unknown amounts of succinic acid?  And if it is such a "low dose" as to be harmless, then how is it actually therapeutic or pain relieving?  I am a skeptic so far.

[~Adorkable~]

im a total skeptic about this, i assume it is all placebo in the way we remember our babies from day to day until someone shows me the tested science.  i just dont see how it could work in the levels that are present.  would love to see some hard research.

that being said there is are tons of things that are proven to be complete make-believe and still have folks that are comforted by them, so as long as it is not harmful, why not? but if it does really leach stuff in to a babies body, no thank you, just cause it is from some ancient tree does not make it safe, lots of natural things are toxic and like some folks have pointed out, we rarely know for sure exactly what is in the beads we buy.

[Jenna Richell]

Yes they really work. A lot of moms testify about the effectiveness of the product.

[~Adorkable~]

Folks testifying to the effectiveness of a given product frankly does not prove anything at all. Over human history we have collectively bought into and really believed millions of false things have worked. Snake oil, really used to be snake oil and folks loved it!
This happens to home remedies as well as pharmacology, hangover treatments to miracle weight-loss foods and pills.

One thing stays the same, that placebos are powerful and folks see or miss what they want to.

A natural minded person will be quick to point out the subtle dangers in a prescription medication but happily overlook other often equal dangers in plant based one; while a "mainstream" person might be overly trusting in whatever has a shiny label on it and think the plant is too big of an risk.

Both sides can be,and often are, both right and wrong in both ways depending on the actual facts, facts often not known for many years/decades/lifetimes after the fad diet or drug or natural remedy was popular.

So there is a lot we don't know. What I do think is pretty clear from human history is that folks testifying to the effectiveness of a given product frankly does not prove anything at all.

[skycheattraffic]

I never tried them but am not comfortable trying them. I don't like the idea of a chain around baby's neck. My go to remedy for teething is cold: a wet washcloth from the fridge, frozen fruit in a mesh feeder or just ice water in a sippy or a cucumber stick for my toddler. My DD is an intense teether (has been almost nonstop since 4 months) but I've only really had to resort to Tylenol a handful of times and she is 15 months old. I'd much rather have her mouthing something while I supervise or nurse at night. If the amber really releases a compound constantly, I'd be more worried about that than an occasional dose of pain killer. Just my two cents.

[Vermillion]

Originally Posted by azzeps 

I am a bit leery of it as well.  I mean, is it really safe to give a baby unknown amounts of succinic acid?  And if it is such a "low dose" as to be harmless, then how is it actually therapeutic or pain relieving?  I am a skeptic so far.

^That is why I won't try one. Unknown amounts of anything going into my baby makes me nervous... & Natural means nothing to me. Lots of natural things are harmful. "It's natural so it's fine!" is a really dangerous attitude to have IMO....

[Mommel]

I have to confess that when I first heard about amber teething necklaces, I had no idea that the baby was the one supposed to be wearing the necklace! Once I discovered that, I wasn't too keen on the idea of them. The choking hazard alone concerns me.

[girlspn]

For us, the necklace didn't work, as much as I wanted it too! My dd would still be very fussy with it on. She doesn't wear it anymore and nothing has changed.

The only that helped soothe teething was teething gel. Works like a charm.  

[GoBecGo]

DD2 has one.  I don't know if it works.  I don't really believe amber can "leak" the relevant acid once warm.  It kind of defies what i know about chemistry.  But i think the necklace was £15 or £16 and i didn't mind spending that to try it.

Certainly it's cute, and times when DD had teething pain i would have tried ANYTHING (sometimes medication didn't seem to help much either!).  I'm actually looking at getting another one for my next LO as my DD2 is teething really slow and at 25months still has all her eye teeth and all her 2 year molars to come, and her sister was similar and was 3.5 before she was done with teething  So for us it's had enough value for me to get another one, even though i don't know for sure if it really made a difference.

DD has worn hers continuously since she was about 5 months old EXCEPT in the pool because the string is knotted silk and i was concerned that repeated exposure to chlorine might perish it and make it more likely to break, so when we're in the pool it goes in my purse with my nose screw (another thing i don't want to lose in the pool!).

[Kaydove]

Originally Posted by ~Adorkable~ 

Folks testifying to the effectiveness of a given product frankly does not prove anything at all. Over human history we have collectively bought into and really believed millions of false things have worked. Snake oil, really used to be snake oil and folks loved it!
This happens to home remedies as well as pharmacology, hangover treatments to miracle weight-loss foods and pills.
One thing stays the same, that placebos are powerful and folks see or miss what they want to.
A natural minded person will be quick to point out the subtle dangers in a prescription medication but happily overlook other often equal dangers in plant based one; while a "mainstream" person might be overly trusting in whatever has a shiny label on it and think the plant is too big of an risk.
Both sides can be,and often are, both right and wrong in both ways depending on the actual facts, facts often not known for many years/decades/lifetimes after the fad diet or drug or natural remedy was popular.
So there is a lot we don't know. What I do think is pretty clear from human history is that folks testifying to the effectiveness of a given product frankly does not prove anything at all.

This exactly. I'm a skeptic. And they would make nervous - seems like they could be a choking risk.

[~Adorkable~]

im not sure what about thread like this make all the spammers crawl out of the woodwork and give us links to "some site that they just found, that has amazing prices and great stuff, but it sure does. Please spare us the spam, we were discussing the merits or lack there of, not asking to be spammed with your website. (which will be reported and  removed anyway)

if you own a website that has products you think the mothering community would benefit from, then by all means become a advertising member and tell us all about it!

[Mulvah]

I got one and it didn't do a thing except look cute. 

[AmberBaby]

A little about Amber teething necklaces.

For the person who quoted amber being a resin, yes, it is a resin.  Amber is fossilized tree sap and this makes it a resin.  Resin does not always refer to a melted and reformed plasic substance.  Amber is not a stone, therefore it is litghtweight and comfortable to wear.  Make sure when buying an amber teething necklace you are buying pure Baltic Amber.  Amber that comes from the baltic region is the purest amber and has higher concentrations of succinic acid and work well for teething babies. 

A baby does not chew on the necklace, they wear it.  The skin warms the necklace and the acid that is in the oils are slowly absorbed into the skin.  Succinic acid is water soluable and there is no overdose potential because the body will use what it can and the rest is eliminated and excreeted through the kidneys (pee'd out). 

As for the safety aspect.  Make sure when you are buying a necklace that you are buying one with the screw closure.  The reason why is the screw closure is designed to give (break) if under too much tension.  In addition make sure that the necklace string is knotted between every bead.  This way if the string were to break only 1 bead would fall off.  Also, you can take the necklace, wrap it twice around the baby's ankle and then place a sock over it or place the baby in footed pajamas.  This is a great alternative to having something around the neck if that causes you concern. 

If you are looking for a high quality amber necklace I recommend              www.amberhealing.com. 

The use of an amber necklace is purely a personal decision by each parent and may not be the right choice for your baby.  I can say it was amazing how well it worked for my daughter. 

[contactmaya]

I live the amber necklace. If baby doesnt wear it for a couple of days, she gets fussier, and starts to dribble alot. Since using it, we rarely have teething problems. 

[nonnabates]

Which teething braclet did you use? Would you send me the link?

[contactmaya]

I dont remember the brand, i got it from amazon. They all seemed the same to me. Ill have a look and see if i have a receipt somewhere

[Amy@STL]

Well, if you do try one ( I did and I think it helped. He wore it from 6 mo to 2 yrs age) , get an unpolished, lightest color, snug fitting child-necklace. I bought online.
Its very popular in Europe so if you have european friends, ask their opinion as well.