I used to think that Baltic amber teething necklaces were for chewing on.  I mean, that’s what “teething things” are for, right?  Chewing on?  And when a nursing mama buys a “teething necklace,” it’s usually something that she wears so the baby can chew on it.  But that always puzzled me, because amber is hard, so it didn’t seem like the kind of thing you chew on.

Then I found out that amber teething necklaces aren’t for chewing on; they’re for wearing.  At which point I wondered if they were some New Agey thing like crystals* or something.  They’re not.  There is an actual, physical mechanism by which they (presumably) work.  (As it’s impossible for a baby to go through the same day with the necklace and without for comparison purposes, we can only derive a general impression that the necklace is doing the job.  We can’t really prove it conclusively.)

So how does the amber teething necklace work?

First, let’s quickly define “amber.”  We think of it as a gemstone – and it is, sort of  – but not exactly.  It isn’t a mineral, like diamonds or emeralds.  Rather, amber is fossilized tree resin (hence its golden color).  It’s classified differently depending on the exact constituents of the specific selection of amber in question, but “Baltic amber” is the one we’re concerned with.  Why?  “Baltic amber” contains the highest concentration of the constituent we want for teething purposes.

Baltic amber contains something called succinic acid. Succinic acid has a number of beneficial properties; it’s good for other things like joint pain, not only for teething.  And the succinic acid is released and absorbed through the skin when worn against the skin.  (So the teething necklace should be inside clothing, not outside.)

Does it run out?

When I was explaining all this to my oldest daughter, she asked me an excellent question: if the succinic acid is absorbed by the body, does that mean the necklace runs out?  I haven’t been able to find a definitive answer, but the general consensus seems to be “not really.”  Sellers of Baltic amber jewelry – who would have a vested interest in telling us we need to replace them regularly! – say that they should last, and be effective, for years if well cared for.

However, it has been noted that the beads can become coated – with soap scum and that sort of thing – which will interfere with the beads’ ability to release their succinic acid.  Makes sense, right?  It’s like creating a seal!  The solution is simply to clean the beads.  Use a soft cloth and clean water to clean the amber, and dry it in the sun or with a soft, dry cloth.  (A Norwex baby cloth would probably be perfect for cleaning these.)

If you’ve cleaned the necklace and it still doesn’t seem to be working, it might be time to replace it, though.  Maybe it’s depleted.  Maybe it’s just developed a sufficient residue to block the succinic acid inside.  It really doesn’t matter why if it’s not doing the trick.  The jewelry is still usable as jewelry, though; just not for therapeutic purposes.

What if the baby chews on it?

At this point, some of you are wondering what will happen if the baby does chew on the necklace.  Chances are, not much.  It’s not good for the necklace to be chewed on, so it’s not recommended, but it isn’t harmful for the baby to chew on it (apart from the fact that, obviously, you wouldn’t want the baby to choke on beads).  The usual solution is purchase a necklace that isn’t long enough for baby to pull it up over his chin and get it into his mouth.  But if he does get hold of it there’s no need to worry that it will poison him or anything.  It’s perfectly safe.  (Except, again, for potential choking hazard.  Makers of teething necklaces typically make them pretty sturdy so beads are unlikely to fall off, so as long as you’re not leaving the baby unattended to chew on the necklace whenever he wants, this is not a high risk.)

Can I wear it?

And one final question – can mamas wear amber?  Absolutely.  In other parts of the world, amber jewelry has been worn for therapeutic purposes for centuries.  There’s no reason you can’t still do so today.  Just make sure that, whether for you or for baby, you’re buying natural Baltic amber from a reputable source, and not an imitation or something highly processed.  (Shaping and polishing of beads doesn’t harm the amber, but certain other imitations are heat-processed.)

*I should note, though, that although the use of crystals may be New Agey, it’s quite possible that there are scientific explanations behind some of their uses, as well.  We’re learning more and more about energy medicine – that is, how the energy fields of other things impact the energy field of the body for good or for ill – and some of the modern discoveries have given support to certain ancient practices.

Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, just an informed mom.  Nothing on this blog should be construed as medical advice and none of it has been evaluated by the FDA.  Which is perfectly fine with me, given their considerable conflicts of interest.