Amber: the natural alternative to teething

Being an advocate for taking the natural path wherever possible, and from my own personal experience; I love amber teething necklaces. In fact I swear by them. I have used amber necklaces for both of my kids, and have experienced first hand the teething symptoms with, vs without the necklace; and trust me, I will take the symptoms with, anytime over the latter.

Baltic amber is not a new invention. Although not widely recognised in Australia, It has been used for centuries all over the world to promote fast healing, reduce infection, relieve pain, ease inflammation, and boost the immune system. It is no wonder that it is also used to remedy the swollen cheeks and gums of irritable babies and toddlers while teething.

There is certainly a science behind the workings of baltic amber to alleviate the symptoms of teething. Amber is fossilised tree resin. When worn against the skin (e.g. necklace), the skin’s warmth releases tiny amounts of active healing oils from amber (succinic acid) which is then absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream.

There are many who consider amber teething necklaces to be a placebo, hoax, fad, or just a useless fashion accessory;  mums who love them, mums who are afraid of using them, and those are sceptical of their effectiveness. However, like me, more and more mothers are opting for natural therapies over pharmaceuticals to treat their children.

Some most frequently asked questions/concerns:

1) How do I know I am getting the real deal? Some companies will try and sell glass or silicone beads for the a premium price (and obviously without medicinal properties). Request a money back guarantee and/or certificate of authenticity. There are a few methods you can use to test whether amber is genuine.

2) Are they safe? (i.e. choking hazard if the beads break off). I am yet to hear of a case where this has happened. Look for necklaces which have individually knotted beads, so if the necklace breaks, the beads stay intact on the necklace string.

It is always recommended to supervise your baby whilst wearing their necklace (take it off overnight and at nap times), and don’t allow them to chew on the necklace. You should always seek medical assistance at any stage if you are concerned about your child’s health or well being.

3) When is the best age to start using an amber teething necklace?  I recommend somewhere between 3-4 months. Any younger, and I find the necklace is too big. Obviously this depends on length of necklace and size of the baby! And this is also when teething symptoms generally start. You can keep the necklace on until 2-2.5yrs when the last molars have come though; although no harm on leaving it on for longer, as the anti inflammatory properties can help ease sinus, colds, ear infections etc.

4) Which type/colour is more effective? The lightest coloured RAW beads contain the most succinic acid. The lightest  in our range in order is honey, cognac, multicolour, then cherry. This being said, there is only really a 4-8% difference from the lightest raw, to darkest polished. However, for healing, RAW and light is the better choice

5) Should I get a bracelet, necklace, or anklet?  Generally speaking, the succinic acid will be the strongest where it enters the skin, so it is recommended to wear the beads in the area in need. If a baby is teething, they will benefit most from a necklace to treat the jaw and mouth area.

6) What is the ideal length for a teething necklace? A safe length is between 12 and 15 inches (30-38 cm) long.

I am super excited to be selling a range of authentic Lithuanian baltic amber teething necklaces available here. All beads are individually knotted and are packaged complete with a unique certificate of authenticity.