As parents, nothing can be scarier than wondering if something might harm our child. If you have a baby, you’ve likely heard the term amber teething necklace in a Mommy or Daddy group or from one of your friends. But what are the best amber teething necklace tips?
You may have heard of controversy around them and wondered about amber teething necklace safety.
Fear not. In this post, we’re going to get into exactly what a Baltic amber teething necklace is. What they do, how they work and how much they cost.
But we’ll also examine amber teething necklace safety and questions about their effectiveness for your poor teething baby. Specifically, we’ll look at the best amber teething necklace tips you should know to make an informed decision.
The very best company for Baltic Amber teething necklaces is Baltic Proud which you can get on Amazon.
Almost 4,000 ratings for that one product (they have several) and it’s an Amazon’s Choice product, and almost every review is 5-star. Certified as 100% Authentic Baltic Amber.
What is an amber teething necklace?
Amber teething necklaces are made for babies when they are experiencing teething.
Baltic amber is the most common material for the best amber teething necklace brands.
As you’ve seen in the Jurrasic Park movies, Baltic amber, is fossilized tree sap. Baltic amber contains an oil referred to as succinic acid.
Succinic acid is released by the necklace being warmed against the baby’s skin. As it gets released, it’s natural pain-relieving properties get released into the baby’s skin and eventually bloodstream, thus providing comfort.
Baltic amber is available in a wide variety of colors:
- Brown
- Green
- Yellow
- Blue
- White
- Red
However, the most typical colors available from the best amber teething necklace brands is a kind of orange/brown color.
The crucial differences between the best amber teething necklace and fake amber:
- When warmed, genuine amber releases a subtle fragrance
- Fake amber smells more like plastic
- Actual Baltic amber will float in salt water. (Simply add salt to water to test at home)
- Amber is a poor heat conductor, thus it always feels warm to your touch
What does sealed and raw amber mean?
Anything that gets sealed or polished naturally seals in whatever is inside the object. In the case of Baltic amber, polishing or sealing it actually seals in the succinic acid limiting or possibly preventing it from working whatsoever.
So the best amber teething necklace brands will be raw and unpolished Baltic amber.
What age are amber teething necklaces for?
Teething refers to the time in a baby’s life where their first teeth begin to break through the surface of the gums. Most often this first occurs between 6 and 10 months of age.
It typically subsides after about 3 years.
Thus, most experts recommend using the best amber teething necklace available from about 2 months through age 3.
Teething doesn’t usually begin this early, but it allows the baby to get used to wearing it before the pain of teething sets in.
The powerful way an amber teething necklace functions to provide relief to your baby
These amber teething beads are then individually knotted onto a necklace to ensure that they will not break loose and become a choking hazard.
Each necklace is specifically sized to fit snugly so that it lays close against the skin under the clothing. This is important for safety as we don’t want it to become tangled. It is also an effective delivery device for the symptom-relieving succinic acid.
In testing the properties of Baltic amber (a fossilized tree resin found only in the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania), scientists found that one component of the amber is succinic acid.
Succinic acid is the key component in an amber teething necklace.
This acid exists in the human body in small quantities. It acts as both an analgesic (pain relieving agent) and an anti-inflammatory (reducing swelling).
When succinic acid, hits the bloodstream it goes right to swollen areas.
Any excess is not stored in the fat or tissues but is safely and simply eliminated.
Unique among tree ambers, Baltic amber contains an 8% concentration of succinic acid and readily releases the useful substance when heated.
And that is where a Baltic amber teething necklace becomes useful.
You can see noticeable soothing, calming effects after a few hours of wearing it and much more after a few days of use.
Do Baltic amber teething necklaces really work?
In natural parenting circles, science has been working to find a more natural means of treating the symptoms of teething.
Typically, these symptoms include inflammation of the gums, resulting in excessive drooling, pain at the site of the new teeth, irritability, and disrupted sleep patterns. The combination of these symptoms leads to a miserable few weeks for both parent and child.
In standard western medicine, the answer to this body of symptoms has always fallen short.
Teething toys or cold packs can diminish the pain and swelling at the site, but only for as long as you hold them in place.
These become highly impractical since they require you to hold your child for the duration of the teething. Pharmaceutical or herbal medications in two forms – analgesic and anti-inflammatory – have also come into wide use.
These each only treat a single aspect of the teething problem: either pain or swelling.
Parents and pediatricians alike limit their use out of concerns about side-effects, cumulative effects of long-term usage, and worries about accurate dosing.
The lack of 100% effective solutions has long required parents with unhappy babies to mount a coordinated attack on the symptoms. Typically having each of the available remedies on hand.
This is where the scientists’ findings regarding a Baltic amber teething necklace offer a better solution.
Amber teething necklace safety
Make no mistake, there are critics on the internet who question amber teething necklace safety or claim there’s no such thing as a best amber teething necklace.
However, succinic acid is generally recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
There are also blog posts claiming that Amber doesn’t even contain succinic acid.
However, the University of Waterloo in Canada has indeed confirmed that Baltic amber does contain “3-8% succinic acid”.
WebMD goes on to say that succinic acid “is used for symptoms related to menopause such as hot flashes and irritability. Succinate is also applied to the skin for arthritis and joint pain.”
Thus it seems clear that Baltic amber does contain succinic acid and that it can help manage pain and swelling.
Crucial Safety Tips for your amber teething necklace
You DO want to make sure that it lays flat under the baby’s clothes so that it can’t get wrapped around the child’s neck.
It is also recommended that babies not wear them while the parents are sleeping or not watching them.
As with almost anything babies are around, so you will want to monitor your child and not leave them unattended. Lastly, it is also important that you ensure you are buying the best amber teething necklace you can find, as imitations do exist.
Are you supposed to chew on a Baltic amber teething necklace?
No is the short answer.
And of course, if you allow your baby to chew on it it could be considered a choking hazard.
Scientists know a lot these days about how our bodies function. Thus the role of the skin and its amazing ability to absorb nutrients has changed the way we take everything from vitamins to prescription drugs, using convenient trans-dermal patches.
The principle of trans-dermal absorption is how a Baltic amber teething necklace delivers the succinic acid.
Your baby will wear the necklace close against the body, underneath clothing. It is then warmed enough to release the succinic acid from the beads.
The teething baby’s skin absorbs the acid.
And it moves through the bloodstream to the swollen and painful gums. When that happens, it delivers relief and then is eliminated from the body.
How long is a Baltic amber teething necklace good for?
Not only does a Baltic amber teething necklace provide a more complete remedy for teething symptoms, but it also offers a more cost-effective one as well.
Contrary to the amber trading portrayed in the Jurassic Park movies with its sky-high price tag, this highly effective remedy is available for less than $20.
Compare that to the combined costs of:
- Pain relief medicine ($7)
- Swelling medicine ($7)
- A teething toy ($5)
Medicines and toys must be used and re-purchased. Thus you can see that the best amber teething necklace is a much better purchase.
A single Baltic amber teething necklace can be used by multiple children. They could also easily become a heirloom piece for multiple generations.
How tight should an amber teething necklace be?
The typical length for an amber teething necklace is about 12 inches.
You don’t want it so tight it hurts or runs the risk of strangulation. But you also don’t want it so long that the child might play with it or put in their mouth.
Here are some suggested guidelines by age:
2 months to 1 year – 12 inches
1-2 years – 13 inches
2 years and older – 14 inches
What is the best amber teething necklace?
The very best company for Baltic Amber teething necklaces is Baltic Proud which you can get on Amazon.
Almost 4,000 ratings for that one product (they have several) and it’s an Amazon’s Choice product, and almost every review is 5-star. Certified as 100% Authentic Baltic Amber.
As we have indicated, you want to make sure you only purchase genuine Baltic amber.
Where to buy an amber teething necklace?
Of course, like most products these days, Amazon Prime is a great source for the best amber teething necklace.
Want to know the top-rated Baltic amber teething necklace on Amazon Prime?
It’s the Raw Baltic Amber Teething Necklaces For Babies (Unisex) by Baltic Proud!
Just click that link to see it on Amazon.
Between multiple sellers on Amazon, this amber teething necklace has well over 2000 great reviews and is an Amazon’s Choice product.
It also comes with a 1-year guarantee and a certificate of authenticity so you know it’s genuine Baltic amber.
CLICK HERE TO SEE IT ON AMAZON
So what are the . . .
Best Amber Teething Necklace Tips You Should Know in 2020?
1. ONLY BUY GENUINE BALTIC AMBER
Beware of imitations and look for a certificate of authenticity
2. ENSURE YOUR BABY DOES NOT CHEW ON THE NECKLACE
While likely not toxic, the beads could be a choking hazard
3. DON’T LET YOUR BABY WEAR IT WHILE YOU SLEEP
Make sure you take it off before bedtime. That way you ensure your baby doesn’t chew on the necklace or get it caught on something while you are out of the room.
4. BABIES SHOULD ONLY WEAR THE NECKLACE WHILE BEING ATTENDED TO
When you are leaving your child unattended, you should remove the necklace and put it back on when you return.
5. ENSURE THE NECKLACE LAYS FLAT UNDER THEIR CLOTHES
The necklace works when the beads gently rest on the skin of the babies chest. Under clothing ensures good contact.
6. DON’T USE ON BABIES UNDER 2 MONTHS OF AGE
Teething would typically start between 2-3 months and as late as 12 months of age. Thus begin the use of your Baltic amber teething necklace at that time.
7. USE UP UNTIL AGE 3 YEARS
Teething is typically a non-issue once a child turns 3. But you or your child may wish to keep wearing it after that purely for fashion reasons.
Final thoughts
In this post, we reviewed the slightly controversial Baltic amber teething necklace.
We looked at how they are used, how they work and showed university studies to back up those claims. We also examined and debunked amber teething necklace safety concerns.
The science, safety, and cost-effectiveness of the best amber teething necklace brands are clear.
The teething necklace is a more complete, more natural, and less costly solution to the symptoms of teething. While almost anything can present a hazard to a baby if left unattended, the concerns about amber teething necklace safety just don’t hold up.
In addition to its naturally occurring properties and safe delivery system, the Baltic amber teething necklace offers consistent, long-term relief.
If you’re relying on medicines, you have to keep purchasing them as you use them up. However, as long your baby wears the necklace its soothing capabilities are working.
The teething baby’s irritability, drooling and inconsistent sleep patterns stem from poorly managed pain and swelling. Thus as the amber teething necklace brings the pain and swelling under control, your baby will see much-needed relief.
As a result, your child will be better rested and less fussy.
The very best company for Baltic Amber teething necklaces is Baltic Proud which you can get on Amazon.
Almost 4,000 ratings for that one product (they have several) and it’s an Amazon’s Choice product, and almost every review is 5-star. Certified as 100% Authentic Baltic Amber.
The co-author of this post, Jenn Sanders, currently works as a marketing assistant at Baltic Wonder, a company that is dedicated to the health and well-being of infants. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and outdoor adventures. Follow her on Instagram or Twitter for more tips.
I also have to add that neither Jenn nor I are doctors, health practitioners, scientists or any other position related to health, wellness or medicine. Thus the opinions expressed here are simply our thoughts and views based on our experience and research and they should not be construed as medical advice. If you need medical advice, please consult a doctor or health practitioner. Any medication or symptom reducing device can have risks. Talk to your doctor about these risks and before administering any device or medication to your baby.
Photo credits (that aren’t mine or which require attribution):
Cord is sporting his brand new #Baltic Amber teething bead! by Shari is licensed under CC 2.0
Middle Class Dad is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases if you click to Amazon from my site and choose to make a purchase. This is no way increases the cost to you.
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