If your baby is struggling with teething, you — like many parents — are probably looking for something (anything!) to help him feel better fast. But unfortunately, amber teething necklaces not only do not work, they're also not safe. Here's why — plus, the safe alternatives you can use soothe baby’s pain.
What are amber teething necklaces?
Amber teething necklaces are made of Baltic amber, or fossilized tree resin. In theory when baby wears one, his body heat triggers the release of a minute amount of oil that contains succinic acid, which is absorbed into the bloodstream. When the oil is absorbed, advocates say, it has an analgesic effect on swollen, sore gums.
Do amber teething necklaces work?
You may have heard that the succinic acid from the amber beads works as a natural painkiller. Advocates also claim that it can help control drooling and improve the immune system’s ability to reduce inflammation in the ears, throat, stomach and respiratory system.
However while the necklaces are indeed drug-free and made with natural ingredients, there’s no medical evidence to suggest that the oil actually relieves pain.
Risks of using amber teething necklaces
Regardless of whether or not you believe they work, amber beads pose safety risks to babies and toddlers. Most pediatricians — if not all — don’t recommend using them for the following reasons:
- Even though the necklaces aren't for chewing, the chances of your baby gnawing off a bead and choking on it are too high, even if you watch him.
- Wearing a necklace poses a strangulation risk. It’s never a good idea to put anything around your little one’s neck.
And note that any type of teething necklace, whether it's amber, wood, rubber or another material, will also pose the same risks. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) doesn't recommend that infants wear any jewelry at all, and in December 2018 the Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) warned parents to avoid giving any teething necklaces or bracelets to babies to chew on because they're a strangulation and choking hazard.
Read This Next
Safer alternatives to amber teething necklaces
There are lots of other tried-and-true teething pain relievers that can soothe your sweetie’s sore gums safely (and cheaply). Here are a few worth trying:
- Chewable toys. Wood, plastic, rubber ... any of these materials soothe aching gums thanks to the counter pressure of gumming. Textured surfaces tend to offer more relief, but any baby toys your little one likes are fine. For safety’s sake, choose teethers — and all toys, for that matter — on the larger side, without small parts that could break off and pose a choking hazard. Not sure it’s safe? Toys that can fit inside a paper-towel tube or toilet-paper roll are too small for your baby.
- Cold stuff. Chilling your baby’s gums provides some serious numbing action, which helps ease the ache and inflammation. Frozen wet washcloths (tie one end in a knot for better gnawing) work great; soak them in chamomile tea for extra soothing action. So do chilled spoons and pacifiers (just make sure they’re not so hard that they could bruise tender gums). Also effective: ice water in a sippy cup or bottle, or frozen breast milk in bags. You can also try frozen bananas, applesauce or peaches inside a mesh teether. To avoid potential tooth decay, just be sure to wipe gums and any teeth down after and don't let your baby suck them constantly.
- Massage. A mini rubdown might give a lot of relief, at least temporarily. Thoroughly wash your hands, then massage the sore spots in your baby’s mouth with your finger or knuckle — just be prepared for the occasional nibble!
- Medicine. When your little one is having a really tough time and nothing else seems to be working, ask your doctor about giving him a baby-appropriate pain reliever like acetaminophen, or infant Tylenol. Numbing gels and creams are not recommended for infants.
Here’s hoping those pearly whites pop up sooner rather than later…
Yes 
No 
Trending On What to Expect
