Amber
Is your child having trouble teething, red cheeks, dribbling, painful gums and sleepless nights? There are many pills and potions out there but putting different chemicals into your child's body may not be for you. A popular remedy for teething pain in parts of mainland Europe is amber, worn as a short necklace. These necklaces have started to gain popularity in the UK but are still viewed with caution and misunderstanding.

So how do they work? Firstly its important to remember that they are NOT for the child to chew on, they work by being worn against the skin, the heat of which releases microscopic amounts of oil, which is then absorbed into the skin. These necklaces are made of Baltic amber which is distinct from other types of amber as it contains succinic acid and it is this compound which gives amber teething necklaces their therapeutic quality.
Succinic acid is naturally occurring in every cell of the human body and has many functions; analgesic (for pain relief), expectorant (to decrease mucous in the nose and chest), anti pyrectic (anti fever), anti spasmodic (reduces the diarrhoea from an over active bowel) and anti inflammatory (reduces the red cheeks and dribbling). Some parents of children with amber teething necklaces report that they don't even know when new teeth break through as the child is no different to their normal contented self.

Obviously safety is paramount and there are a few things to consider; amber teething necklaces should be worn only under supervision, and should be worn under the clothing against the skin. They are short to reduce the risk of getting caught on anything and the child will become desensitised to its presence around their neck. It is not to be worn around the neck during naps or night time. Each bead is rounded to prevent sharp edges damaging the child's skin, and is individually knotted on to cotton so that if a breakage were to occur only one bead would come off the necklace, and their small size makes them much less likely to cause choking should they then be swallowed. The screw on clasp is made of plastic and not silver, and if a great strain is put on the necklace, this clasp will give way and allow the necklace to break open.