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The Magic of Amber ‘Teething’ Necklaces: A Mom’s Journey
As a new mom, I stumbled through the early days until I finally connected with my people: the babywearers, a unique branch of the attachment parenting community. Our breastfeeding rates could rival any La Leche League meeting. We shared tips on safe co-sleeping and gently guiding our older, homeschooled kids. We were the unconventional bunch who wrapped our babies in fabric slings and breastfed each other’s little ones. Interestingly, most of us vaccinated, yet our babies—along with some moms—wore amber necklaces.
When my little guy, Leo, began drooling like a fountain at just 2 months old, the verdict was teething. I knew exactly what to do. I hopped online and ordered a genuine Baltic amber necklace for him. My partner was a bit skeptical. However, Leo was starting to fuss and tug at his face, and we wanted to avoid regularly dosing him with Tylenol. So, despite it sounding as effective as hanging a goat’s head on a wall, we decided to give it a whirl. Thirty minutes after we placed the necklace around his neck, the drooling ceased—never to return. It felt like hippie magic at work.
The theory behind Baltic amber is that it warms against the skin, releasing succinic acid, which supposedly acts as a natural pain reliever. According to Amber Artisans, this acid is absorbed into the bloodstream and can relieve teething pain. My kids, like many others, found some relief thanks to Baltic amber. Sure, they still needed Tylenol on particularly rough days, but it wasn’t a constant requirement.
If we accidentally left the necklace off after bath time, we’d definitely notice it. Leo would start rubbing his cheeks, drooling, and generally behaving as though he was in discomfort. The amber really did seem to help.
Of course, there are skeptics. Some argue that even if succinic acid could be released by body heat, there’s no credible evidence supporting its use as an analgesic. Additionally, concerns exist about the unknown effects of this natural substance on a child’s body. Science or Not warns that in large quantities, succinic acid can irritate skin and even pose serious risks to the eyes. Ultimately, the consensus is that there’s no peer-reviewed proof that amber does anything beyond looking adorable.
Safety is another issue. The Australian government has cautioned against allowing children to wear these necklaces while unsupervised or asleep. While the beads are knotted to prevent scattering if the strand breaks, that won’t stop a baby from attempting to chew on it. The necklaces are also designed to break easily to prevent strangulation. Nevertheless, most guidelines recommend them only for kids aged 36 months and older, and they should never be used while a child is sleeping or unattended. Tragically, there is at least one reported case of a child who died while wearing a necklace during sleep, although the mother contests this.
Despite the warnings, I allowed my three kids to wear amber. The necklaces helped ease their drooling and teething pain, making life a little smoother for all of us. My 3- and 5-year-olds still sport their amber necklaces. There’s even a notion that amber promotes overall well-being. Plus, it serves as a sort of badge of honor for other moms: “Look, I’m a free-spirited parent. Yes, I’m still nursing my 3-year-old (which I am).”
While PubMed may not have the research backing it, Baltic amber and its succinic acid have worked wonders for my family. I get that anecdotal evidence isn’t the strongest form of proof, but it’s what we’ve got in the absence of other studies. Thousands of parents could share similar stories about amber’s effectiveness in alleviating teething pain, and it seems to be gaining popularity. As long as you take basic precautions, it’s relatively safe. So far, there haven’t been any reports of babies overdosing on succinic acid.
So, Leo keeps his necklace on, and when we have another baby, we’ll definitely go the Baltic amber route again. Despite what the skeptics say, I remain a believer.
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Summary
In this article, Sophie Green shares her experience with Baltic amber teething necklaces, describing how they helped alleviate her children’s teething pain. Despite skepticism from some quarters about their efficacy and safety, she stands by their benefits. The piece highlights the balance between anecdotal evidence and scientific scrutiny, ultimately advocating for the use of amber necklaces while adhering to safety precautions.