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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

amber teething necklace

8 replies

bunnyblack · 16/03/2011 21:47

Hello

I'm new to mumset and wonder if anyone can give some advice on amber teething necklaces?

I may sound really stupid but i feel a bit nervous buying one and then putting it on my 7mth old son! They must be safe ....yeah !!?? Is there a good one or bad one out there ... does it really matter?

..and are they worth it!!?

Thanks

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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whatagradeA · 16/03/2011 22:39

I don't know of any brands/sellers but my friend's DS had one at about that age and she always swore by it!

kreecherlivesupstairs · 17/03/2011 07:34

Don't waste your money. That's what a doctor in Switzerland (home of amber necklaces) told a friend of mine.

Original poster

bunnyblack · 17/03/2011 21:06

Thanks for your comments - my dad would probably agree with the Swiss Doctor (he's a retired GP and tends to dismiss these ideas rather quickly!)...

OP posts:

Honeydragon · 17/03/2011 21:08

there are a few threads on here if you use the search box. I think a number of mumnetters who swear by them also wrap them round the ankle.

Themumsnot · 17/03/2011 21:10

Listen to your Dad, he knows what he is talking about.

RitaMorgan · 17/03/2011 21:11

What are they supposed to do? Give off some sort of magic to help teething pain?

monkoray · 17/03/2011 21:14

You said they must be safe - i don't think thats true. They aren't classes as medicine so they don't have to be checked by the Medicines authority (the MHRA) and they aren't a toy so they don't need a CE mark. So as far as i know they have no official safety checks on them. I'd be really careful.
I'm not saying that the amber its self could harm your baby, I just don't think its a great idea to put a necklace on a baby, especially if they are mobile. Strangulation or the necklace breaking and your baby choking on the beads are both risks you should consider.
Sorry that sounds really negative - just my thoughts though.

pescatore · 18/03/2011 15:20

I have one for DS aged 5 months, who is awaiting his first tooth. A few times I have forgotten to put the thing on and he was definitely more grumpy on those days (but of course that could be because he's used to the necklace...).

There is no medical evidence I know of that it works, but they have apparently been in use in Europe (Switz / Germany?) for hundreds of years. Anecdotally, I know some mothers who swear by them. The "theory" is that the amber is warmed by the skin and releases an aethereal oil which is a natural analgesic. It may be one of those cases of the wisdom of ages being passed down from mother to mother by word of mouth. On the other hand, it could also be a complete load of monkey bollocks .

Monkoray is right to say that the necklaces are a choking / strangulation risks. There are however necklaces in the market which come with a magnetic closure and/or where each bead is individually knotted onto a string to minimise (but probably not eliminate) these risks.

With all that in mind, DS still has his necklace. I like to think it works, probably because I'm a bit gullible and also a bit suspicious of the teething gels. It looks cute on him and he's not yet mobile. I'll reconsider once he's moving around a bit more...

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