Amber teething necklace dangers

[nellyjane]

I'm considering buying an amber teething necklace for DS.

Does anyone know of a child who has been injured by one in any way? I know lots of people raise concerns about them being a choking hazard, or there being a risk of strangulation.

Websites selling them say they are knotted after each bead so won't be swallowed, and break under pressure so they can't get caught around their neck.

I do feel reassured by this, but wanted to check whether anyone here knows otherwise?

(Please don't turn this into a 'do they work' debate... I know there's absolutely no evidence, and the explanation for how they work is laughable. But I try to keep an open mind and if it might help I'm willing to give it a try.)

I know someone who has had 2 babies wear them since they were very little and has had no problems at all.

Lots of babies I know have the anklets instead which might be a bit safer if you're worried?

Thank you both. The thing is AlmaMartyr, I don't know whether I am worried!

It seems like the kind of thing that health visitors, nurseries etc will have safety issues with, but I know that loads of parents use them and I've never heard of a single child actually being hurt.

Not that I want to hear about children getting hurt of course!

It's just that other things I've heard about (like the dangers of eating whole grapes for instance!) have always been backed up with real life examples of why it's dangerous. But with teething necklaces I haven't heard anything, which makes me wonder if they're not as dangerous as some people make out...

I don't understand why you need to know a child who was strangled or choked for you not be able to see a risk associated with it?

But in answer to your question, not that many people use them compared with eating grapes so of course the numbers will be lower too, so you're much less likely to know someone who has had a problem with them - that is one possibility as to why you don't know anyone.

FWIW I didn't use them because I could see a risk and didn't think the potential benefits outweighed those risks (notwithstanding no evidence they actually work...)

i've never had or heard any negative comments - just lots of compliments! ds2 pulled his off when he was 14months ish, a couple of beads had broken off which wasn't a problem but then once he realised he could pull it off he did again till the clasp broke. i went from calpol almost every day for teething to nothing at all, got one for myself as well!

There has never been a reported incident with a teething necklace.
I sell these and think the parents using them are probably more vigilant with supervision when they are wearing them.
Regards
Gina

I know 3 people who use them - one friend raved about it so the other 2 went out and bought the same one! They even sleep with them on, and all say it is perfectly safe. Apparrently it heats up to body temperature so they don't even notice they are on, so don't fiddle with them.

I had a similar fear about getting baby hair clips for DD2 (she has freakishly long hair for a baby and I refuse to cut a fringe!). I use them but obviously just keep an eye on her, and she has never tried to pull them out.

DC1 has been wearing his since he was 8 weeks old, no problems.
Where I grew up teething necklaces are very common and can be bought in any pharmacy or drugstore, and nobody seems to be concerned about possible strangulation.
DC1 was wearing it around his ankle for the first week or so, but it kept falling into the toes of his sleepsuit making him uncomfortable, so I put it round his neck and he's not even really aware of it.

Thank you everyone!