If you have participated in parenting groups over the past few years, you have likely already heard about Baltic Amber. But what is Baltic amber? Where does it come from? And how do parents use it to help your teething baby?
What is Baltic Amber?
First, it's important to understand what Baltic amber is and where it comes from. Baltic amber refers to amber which is harvested from the Baltic sea region.
Amber, contrary to popular belief, is not a precious gemstone but is actually fossilized tree resin. Most people are familiar with amber in the context of dinosaur related fossils, such as mosquitoes trapped in amber. However, amber that is “free” from trapped insects or other fossilized items has been used for centuries in various capacities, including decorative as well as medicinal.
In order to be transformed into teething jewelry, Baltic Amber is harvested and shaped into small beads which are then strung together to create necklaces and bracelets.
How Baltic Amber Can Help a Teething Baby
Many people wonder: how does Baltic amber actually help a teething baby? The answer lies within the amber itself. Amber contains a special compound known as succinic acid. Succinic acid is an anti-inflammatory agent which naturally occurs in the body but is also found in other objects, such as amber.
When amber bracelets are worn against the skin, the amber is slightly warmed by a person's body heat over time. This causes the amber to secrete a trace amount of oil; inside this oil is the compound known as succinic acid. Once it is absorbed into the body, it begins to act as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Teething pain is primarily caused by inflammation of the gums. When succinic acid builds up in the body, it reduces this painful gum inflammation and thus reduces the pain at the source.
This is one of the most notable benefits of Baltic amber jewelry. Because it is absorbed into the body, it has a longer lasting pain relief effect when compared to traditional pain relief medicines or temporary relief caused by chewing on teething toys.
Baltic amber jewelry can help with teething pain on its own. However, it is even more effective when combined with other teething pain remedies such as frozen teething toys.
Is Baltic Amber Safe?
Yes, Baltic amber jewelry is completely safe. There are no known side effects to using Baltic amber jewelry. However, as with any jewelry, it is important to take safety precautions when allowing your baby to wear bracelets or necklaces.
Never let a baby wear a bracelet or necklace when they are not being supervised. Always check the bracelets and necklaces for signs of damage before you put them on your baby. You should never allow your baby to hold the bracelet or necklace, as they could put the beads in their mouths, which may present a choking hazard. Fore more information on our safety testing and standards, visit our FAQ page.