Teething necklaces 'dangerous' - sceptics

17 Feb 2012 12:47a.m.

Jo wrote:

Loads of people wore those performance magnet band things that sports people were spruiking a few years back until they were proven to be utter nonsense and the company went bust. This amber thing smells similar.

17 Jan 2012 08:20p.m.

Vicky wrote:

Im in the uk and have just ordered necklace for my daughter after positive reviews from friends, my daughter will wear hers round her neck during the day and I'll put it round her ankle under sleepsuit at night. The one I've ordered will unclip under pressure and has all beads individsully knotted so beads won't come off if it snaps. For those still concerned about choking when under sleepsuit on ankle neither of my babies have ever really been interested in their feet but even if they were the necklace would be inside the cotton so unless baby bites through sleepsuit they wouldn't get to the necklace. The necklace I've ordered was £12.30 GBP Inc postage so again not the price quoted in this article. I don't really understand why some people think it's a bad thing to want to calm fussy/distressed baby as a parent I find it heartbreaking whenever my children are distressed.and I'd much rather try this than dose them up with calpol

16 Aug 2011 01:52p.m.

Grace wrote:

We sell these necklaces because when we heard about them we tried it on our grandson with amazing success. He also immediately went from sleeping only a few hours at a time to sleeping through the entire night. Due to the results we decided to become sellers as they were not easy to find. The success stories that have come back to us are incredible. What a great natural way to relieve pain and provide many other benefits as well. My grandaughter who is seven is now wearing them as well. Not just for teething and babies but also for children and adults. The most important thing to remember when buying a necklace is to get the right size if it is for a baby. It should be short enough that the baby cannot get it up and over the chin. Our grandchildren wear their necklaces 24/7. If you are not comfortable with leaving it on at night then we recommend wrapping it around the ankle a few times and covering it with sleepers so that they continue to reap the benefits during the night. Check us out if you wish at www.treasurehtch.com

25 May 2011 01:34p.m.

Frostt wrote:

If you havent tried them how can you even comment? They work - get over it.

16 Jan 2011 05:09p.m.

mum of two wrote:

Neither of my children had any great problems with teething, I gave them an ice cube tied in a clean hanky to suck on. I will now retail these clean hankies and ice cube trays for $49.99 as they have shown to positively ease all effect from teething and all parents will want to try this out.

Come on ....GET REAL.... teething is temporary, death is forever, why would you risk putting something around your childs neck on the "maybe it will work".

Oh and "teething causes diarrhea...." Come on, take a look at what you are feeding your children and you will find a much greater link to the intake that to teething. Change you childs diet and you will find an impact in the nappy, irrespective of teething, consider coincidental timeing for goodness sake.

So many old wives tales, no wonder old medical certificated listed teething as a cause of death. So easy to blame the teeth rather than look for any other underlying problem.

16 Jan 2011 04:09p.m.

Spencer wrote:

There are so many reasons that these necklaces could *appear* to work. People really should apply a healthy does of skepticism to the manufacturers claims. After all, they are the ones charging upwards of $30 for what looks like to a piece of tat from the local "dollar store".

11 Nov 2010 08:47a.m.

Stephen wrote:

Interestingly enough, our daughter (whom wore one of these so-called 'dangerous' necklaces) is now a happy, healthy, intelligent 4 year old, who had no symptoms of teething except for rosy-red cheeks. She wore the amber teething necklace around the clock during her teething age. Oh dear, perhaps we should have dosed her up with Pamol and given her a toxic teething ring instead! Wake up and smell the coffee, Mrs Bueller!

05 Oct 2010 05:06p.m.

Beth wrote:

My relatives use this method, but I agree with the scientists. There are many products on the market (those wrist bands for balance and sport are the same) which are based on the perception of the owner. Psychologically you are more likely to see positive aspects if told it will help unless you are skeptical. Often these childhood problems adjust with age, food changes and environment changes. Amber doesnt release oil, possibly the skin reacts to the amber on the skin and releases oil. I agree that other items could be considered choking hazards all the same (hats, toggles etc) and that there is a similar likelihood injury could resolve from either item. However, as this cannot fulfil the scientific explanation on the pack, I think it is more likely a mental thing rather than a true miracle cure.

And just because people in europe use them doesnt necessarily mean we should! Make up your own mind - and TV3, please have a less bias report next time, and get more sources.

02 Oct 2010 07:29p.m.

Cynthia wrote:

Whether they work or not. DO NOT USE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 3 YEARS UNATTENDED. There are SAFER methods out there. The problem arises when baby is unattended. Some say they are not a choking hazard, if the necklace breaks the beads are beaded in between. So I guess the baby chokes on the entire necklace instead. It's not a strangulation hazard, as the clasp will come apart when pulled... but then isn't it now a choking hazard? I love the ones who say they use magnetic clasps! Nothing like swallowing a magnet, serious problems there. Okay, some parents will be diligent about removing them when baby is sleeping or unattended, but many don't. I work in a children's store and it's amazing what parents tell me. When it comes to keeping baby less fussy or asleep it's amazing what parents will do, including leaving their baby sleeping unattended in the car,as for the necklaces tucking the necklace under the sleeper thinking it's safe! One mom was so creative that she wrapped it around the baby's ankle while sleeping through the night. What if it comes undone or breaks while baby is unattended? Hmm babies do love to put their foot in their mouth when lying down. As for the lady posting about ties on clothing... there are regulations for their use. Take a look at how many recalls the Gap has had because they seem to not get the fact that children's hoodies are not supposed to have ties. Stick to a good teether with nubs. The nubs will actually help teeth to erupt sooner! For those parents who are diligent and remove the necklace while baby in unattended, traveling in a car seat, or sleeping, you are to commended! But I see way too many that just don't feel many of the warnings in children's products are a concern for them because they have not heard of any babies dieing, it won't happen to them because someone else does the same thing, or are trying to cope with a fussy baby and think it will be okay just this once.

05 Aug 2010 01:06a.m.

Christie wrote:

I don't need scientific evidence, all I need is my own "clinical trial" on a now 2yo who went from a toddler screaming "my teeth mummy my teeth!" and waking in the night howling in agony cutting her 2yo molars to a much happier kid. No miracle I was still using other remedies, but a significant enough difference to convince my "sceptic" husband that it made a noticeable difference to our daughter's demeanour! The necklace she wears is designed to break under strain, has minimal "slack" that could get caught on anything, and is individually knotted at each bead. I would never put my child in danger and I think there are hundreds of things that could happen before her having any problems with her necklace.