Teething Gel, Teething Amber and Silicone Products – What you need to know about teething products
Teething gel and teething amber are often a staple in any mum’s nappy bag to help ease baby’s sore gums when those first teeth start popping through. Poor baby – all that drooling, sore gums and crankiness! Another option to ease the nastiness of teething is teething silicone. Although they are all used for the same purpose, some teething products can have really serious side effects! Make sure you are aware!
Teething Gel Controversy
You can get teething gel over the counter from your local pharmacist or even pick some up when doing your grocery shopping. It seems a safe enough option. But it’s worth reading the label to see what exactly is in the teething gel. Besides containing sugar, aspirin or alcohol, something else to look out for is salicylate. This has been removed from teething gels in the UK, but not in Australia. If your baby has an adverse effect to the salicylate, symptoms would include gastrointestinal problems, hyperventilation, tremor, memory lapse and even death. Another ingredient that should cause alarm bells to start ringing is benzocaine. This has been linked to a rare but fatal disease called methemoglobinemia. This is a disease that impacts the ability to carry oxygenated blood to the body and tissues. And it’s fatal.
Teething Amber Risks
Teething amber is the most popular alternative treatment for teething babies. There are lots of claims that these baby amber necklaces or bracelets made from special Baltic amber have healing properties. It’s said that the amber heats up by being worn against the skin and as it’s warmed, it releases trace amounts of succinic acid into the skin, which has therapeutic properties. However in April 2013, the Therapeutic Goods Administration ruled that there is no evidence to prove that amber actually provides any relief from the symptoms of teething or any healthy benefits. Furthermore they noted that the necklaces could pose a choking hazard. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, issued a consumer protection notice in September 2011 about the hazards of teething amber. They advised that parents should always supervise the baby when wearing the necklace or bracelet, and not to allow the baby to chew on the necklace. They urged parents to remove teething amber from the baby when unattended or sleeping and to consider alternative forms of pain relief. Supporters of teething amber jewellery have stated that used correctly, amber is safe and effective.
Silicone Teething Products
Silicone teething products are fairly new to the market. Silicone is considered “safe” for babies – in fact bottle teats, and dummies are made from silicone because of its “inert properties” – meaning it’s the safer alternative to plastics. Silicone teething products can be in the form of the traditional teethers for baby to hold and chew or silicone jewellery that mums can wear. What’s great about teething silicone is that it’s made out of 100% FDA approve food grade silicone. It’s also certified BPA, Phthalate, Lead and PVC free. It’s also non toxic, extremely durable and environmentally friendly. There are so many hidden nasties in plastics that could potentially harm your little one, so many chemicals in baby teething gels and the risk of choking from poorly made teething amber…now wonder so many mums are loving silicone teething products as the safe option!
Silicone teething products are the better alternative to teething amber and gels – browse ours now.
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