Amber teething anklet - adverse side effects?

[auldmaw]

Hey

Not entirely sure how mumsnet works so apologies if this thread exists and I just can't find it.

My son is 4 months old. He was born with a full tooth so it's unknown if his teeth bother him as it's likely all he's ever known. However, he has been chewing everything in sight, dribbling etc... so I got him an amber anklet on the advice of friends who swore by it.

I put it on him 4 days ago. For the last 3 nights for about half an hour around 7.30/8 he's screamed uncontrollably. I've never heard anything like it. The first night he had diarrhoea. The 2nd night nothing seemed obviously wrong and he stopped himself and tonight he was sick. We've also noticed he's generally been more grumpy and unsettled during the day.

We've been very lucky with our son, he's not a sicky baby (could count on one hand how many times he's been sick) and he's generally quite settled so this screaming seems to have come out of nowhere.

I totally accept our bubble may just have burst and it could be caused by other factors.

Just because of the timing, I'm wondering if it could be connected to the anklet and if anyone else has experienced this. I can't find anything online about adverse side effects. This may be because they don't exist.

I've taken the anklet off and I suppose time will tell. But, if it's not that, I'd want to use the anklet! So, just looking to see if anyone else has had a similar experience?!

Thanks in advance

Safer not to have choking hazards near babies, but if you must do clean it well and given the tummy upset disinfect.

On what basis “must” she use one? There’s no good reason at all.

Do you know what they call alternative medicine that’s been proven to work?

“Medicine”

Adverse side effects include wasting your money and tying a choking hazard to your baby’s leg.

@PurpleDaisies fair point 🤷🏻‍♀️

Anbesol liquid is the greatest thing.

@TheFatberg thanks, someone else suggested that as well. I'll check it out.

Did you sterilize the anklet before putting it on him?

@GrumpyHoonMain Nope, I just gave it a wash. In hindsight I probably should have!

Yes that’s probably it then. Sterilize it and put it back on - just having something to chew on will help him if he’s having trouble with his teeth/

Screaming inconsolably at that time of night suggests colic. No one really knows what causes colic but it may be due to growth spurts causing abdominal migraine. Responded well to calpol.
Might be worth a chat with HV or GP if it continues.

Yes that’s probably it then. Sterilize it and put it back on - just having something to chew on will help him if he’s having trouble with his teeth

Do not do this. Sterilise it and put it in a cupboard.

This bracelet is not safe to chew on. Your advice could kill the op’s child.

There are safe teething rings available.

Give your little one a nice, cold cloth to chew/suck on. That can be very soothing. And honestly, a bit of calpol at this stage will really help reduce the suffering.

My eldest used to become very unwell with his teething, very runny nose, runny bottom, rashes, fevers. Teething was very hard on him. It sounds like your little one is just suffering from teething, nothing more. But run a washcloth under cold water... give it a go.
Poor you. I remember well how tough the teething was with DC1. It's tough on you all. Fingers crossed he gets a bit of respite.

A lot of uppity comments on here but actually amber or jade / other semi-precious stone teething bracelets have been used safely in Asia for thousands of years. It’s very common from the part of the world where I am. The trick is to to let babies chew under supervision and they won’t choke

I wouldn't use one of these for love nor money. Even if it's on the ankle, it can still come loose or some of the beads could fall off, which is a horrible choking risk for something that is total junk science. Plus my daughter can get her feet into her mouth; babies are contortionists!

Anbesol liquid works even on me.. my wisdom tooth came through as ds’s front teeth did so I hijacked some.

Dentinox gave him the runs and other other version brought him out in a rash (strawberry allergies or atleast the assumption is it’s the strawberry flavour) so it could be something else your giving him

The amber anklet I was given.. works as a lovely little ornament. It left little welts on the back of his leg if he lay on it, didn’t know if that was comfortable or not (like you can’t feel sock marks) didn’t want to chance it so I’ll keep it as a you were this tiny once! Thing.

Mini matchstick monkey and banana brush were our best teethers, he was still small n couldn’t get the keys or fridge ones in his mouth.

Thanks @TheVanguardSix I'm going to buy a couple of washcloths for him as until now he's just used damp Muslims. I think the thicker texture might work better.

I had no idea this could happen with teething (first baby). We'll ride it out! X

On what basis “must” she use one? There’s no good reason at all.

No IMO not either, but she is his mother. It’s a turn of phrase, like “if you must have sugar in your tea, try to.reduce it if you want to lose weight”

@auldmaw teething can be awful! My 15 month old has 2 bottom canines and a molar coming in. He's been poorly all week from it compared to DS1 who never showed any signs of pain when teething 🤷🏻‍♀️

@Mintypea5 poor wee soul, that sounds brutal! I had hoped he'd sail through teething seeing he was born with one!

We just keep reminding ourselves this is all temporary! Sending good vibes your way 👍🏻

People get so worked up about these things. Obviously you have to be very careful about the choking thing, but OP said her child doesn't even know he has feet yet 😍so safely tucked under a baby gro should be fine.

Thing is science isn't the only viewer with which to view the world. Just cos it can't explain something doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

I'm not saying they work - but my neighbour who is a doctor at consultant level said it really seemed to help her daughter so, who knows.

Google death via Amber teething jewelry and you will see why @purpleDasies is being so adamant. Please take it off :(

No doctor I know would ever use one (I was a doctor, I don’t practise any more).

I have seen a LOT of children choke on unsuitable things they’ve got hold of. Yo deliberately put something on them that would kill them and has no possible scientific mechanism of action beyond the placebo effect is madness.

Again just to clarify (echoing what @Clayplease has said), my son doesn't know he has feet. If I thought for a second he would reach/grab/touch the anklet it would be straight off. At the moment it's on under his socks / sleepsuits. As I mentioned before, I would never take such a risk and is the reason I never even considered the necklace.

I was in two minds about amber myself, so I bought a necklace and tried it on myself. It did absolutely nothing. I don't think you should try something on your child that you wouldn't try yourself.

FYI,
There are new recent guidelines out from the British dental association re teething gels.

I would avoid amber jewellery due to choking hazards and lack of evidence that it works, and I'd concentrate on cold teething rings, and analgesics if feverish/distressed.

Sorry, forgot to post guidelines

bda.org/news-centre/press-releases/Pages/Dentists-warn-of-teething-products-that-could-put-infants-health-at-risk.aspx