Irate Parent

[SilverSabre25]

This was posted on-line 33 minutes ago

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/11/amber-teething-necklaces-pose-choking-hazard/?_r=0

In place of amber necklaces, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends several remedies for teething pain that aren’t potential safety hazards

Well I've never heard of problems with one I know tons of people who use them. I am part of a lot of crunchy online communities and have never hread of problems there either. I just haven't run across it. They are made to break under pressure (like cat collars), they are made with a knot in between each "bead", the beads are too small to be choking hazards, and the necklaces are not supposed to be long enough for the child to get it into their mouth. When used correctly I just don't know what the danger is.

[craftymissbeth]

Teething necklaces are not pacifiers and are not for chewing on. They are not dangerous...

Regardless of whether they are chewed on or not, you truly believe there is no danger of strangulation? Especially during sleep?

eta: you answered ,y question before I posted it

[SilverSabre25]

Regardless of whether they are chewed on or not, you truly believe there is no danger of strangulation? Especially during sleep?

I can't figure out how they would get strangled, no. Especially during sleep. What's going to happen? Seriously, I don't understand how that would happen. :confused: Also, I've NEVER heard of problems associated with an amber necklace.

[Play Care]

I think the bottomed line is this - most states say nothing in the crib but the baby, so regardless of what we think and our experience, they are not allowed.
I would follow regs because on the off chance baby does get harmed because of the necklace while in my care, no one is going to say "well it's okay because the parent wanted it."

[Blackcat31]

Well I've never heard of problems with one I know tons of people who use them. I am part of a lot of crunchy online communities and have never hread of problems there either. I just haven't run across it. They are made to break under pressure (like cat collars), they are made with a knot in between each "bead", the beads are too small to be choking hazards, and the necklaces are not supposed to be long enough for the child to get it into their mouth. When used correctly I just don't know what the danger is.

Vendors of Baltic amber necklaces commonly advertise that the necklaces are safe because the string is knotted between each individual bead, so if the necklace breaks only one piece will fall off. But one loose bead is enough for a child to choke on, said Dr. Isabelle Claudet, head of the pediatric emergency department at Children’s Hospital in Toulouse, France. And because the necklaces are produced and sold by smaller vendors, the lack of manufacturing standards makes it impossible to guarantee that any safety clasps will come apart as intended if the necklace becomes caught on anything, increasing the potential for strangulation.

This gal ^^ answered your question...

I'd never heard of them until last year so I really know NOTHING about them other than what I have read...it was just funny that I read your post about them not being dangerous and then like MV was googling them and the link I posted was the first thing that popped up

[craftymissbeth]

I can't figure out how they would get strangled, no. Especially during sleep. What's going to happen? Seriously, I don't understand how that would happen. :confused: Also, I've NEVER heard of problems associated with an amber necklace.

Oh, ok. I don't have any experience with amber necklaces. I really don't think I would allow them at all, though, in children under 1... but I'm very particular about things like that. Just my preference, though.

[tratliff]

As a parent, my child wore an Amber teething necklace and it really seemed to help him. I've heard everything from they don't work at all to they work miracles. They are NOT to chew on and should not go in baby's mouth. This means that they are usually fitted in a way that can not stretch to baby's mouth.
As a provider, you really need to check the specific regulation. If there is none, talk to licensing. Honestly, Amber necklaces very well may have medical benefits but if not used properly, they are a hazard. As far as I know, the paci is fine so long as it's not attached to anything so maybe you could point out that she can have paci but not attached to the lovie blanket thingie as per state regulations. That way it's not your fault, it's above your head. I love the suggestion about doubling it around the ankle with mom's permission. Also, I may be out of line so please forgive me but I am also a breastfeeding, amber necklace using "type of mom" (not trying to be stereotypical but I share similar beliefs with this parent) and just wondering if Mom is aware that baby cries when laid down. I don't and won't care for infants, but know many like-minded moms including myself who would not at all be comfortable with baby crying, even if it's only for a few minutes, without being comforted. Again, not trying to be rude, just wanting to make sure you and mom are on the same level so it doesn't come back to bite you later. And I have definitely heard weirder things than Mom wanting you to wear breastmilk to warm it, but I wouldn't do it. That has got to be against regulations. Plus, there are easier, faster ways to do it.

[SilverSabre25]

Meh. to each his own. I don't feel that they pose a risk and I don't have licensing breathing down my neck telling me how to do things.

This is falling into one of those categories I'm never going to touch again, such as extended rear-facing in car seats, and selective vaccination. Proven risk from foward facing too early, and yet so many of you scoff at the idea of extended rear facing. Proven risks associated with giving certain vaccines (have you EVER read the warnings that come with the shot? Scary stuff) and yet you all vax without a second thought. But take something with no proven risk, only supposed risk with 15 "but ifs" attached, and it's the horribilest thing in the world.

Whatever. If you don't feel comfortable with it, don't allow it. Simple as that.

[craftymissbeth]

Meh. to each his own. I don't feel that they pose a risk and I don't have licensing breathing down my neck telling me how to do things.

This is falling into one of those categories I'm never going to touch again, such as extended rear-facing in car seats, and selective vaccination. Proven risk from foward facing too early, and yet so many of you scoff at the idea of extended rear facing. Proven risks associated with giving certain vaccines (have you EVER read the warnings that come with the shot? Scary stuff) and yet you all vax without a second thought. But take something with no proven risk, only supposed risk with 15 "but ifs" attached, and it's the horribilest thing in the world.

Whatever. If you don't feel comfortable with it, don't allow it. Simple as that.

Yeah, I actually agree with you about all of the above... But I thought we were talking dck's :confused:

[hgonzalez]

From the website of Amber Artisians:

'Amber teething jewelry is made for wearing not for chewing. Children should be supervised at all times when wearing jewelry, and it should be removed when child is sleeping or unattended! Not suitable for children under 36 month.

WHEN THE JEWELLERY IS NOT BEING WORN, IT MUST BE KEPT OUT OF REACH AND SIGHT OF CHILDREN.'

[Leigh]

I address this at my interview. I will NOT allow a blanket in a crib, and I do NOT allow jewelry of ANY kind on children of ANY age in my home.

I disagree that a parent's request to give a child a blanket should override licensing rules and safe sleep practices. It is against the rules because it is not safe. Just because all babies don't die from blankets, doesn't mean that it is safe (I have a current DCM whose last baby died because the provider gave her 6 month old a blanket against mom's wishes-cause of death: asphyxiation).

I would simply tell Mom that these rules are not negotiable in yours or any licensed home, and let her leave if she wishes to.

[Scout]

Nope. Nothing in bed with baby.

State over rules Mom on this one.

I would especially not allow the necklace, the strangulation hazard would make me too nervous.

I agree. I wouldn't even button up onsies all the way when my kids were sleeping!

[morgan24]

I'm in MI they can have nothing in bed with them. The pacifier is hooked on to a blanket through a loop. I remove the pacifier from the blanket and still give it to her. The necklace is loose and and she has gotten her hand under it and can pull and twist it so I am more comfortable taking it off at nap. She is six months old.

Dcm has a copy of all the rules. We are required to give them a copy with our paper work. I told her I respect how she feels but I have to go by licensing rules, that's what I signed up for when I got licensed.

[lovemykidstoo]

I have a dcm that is mad because her baby wears a amber teething necklace and has a paci attached to a bear blanket. The baby has been wearing the necklace for a couple of months and when she gets here I take it off because I don't know if it goes against state licensing rules of nothing in bed with baby. I also take her paci off the blanket. She does cry at first when laid down for her nap but it doesn't last long. Yesterday at pick up I forgot to put the necklace back on her and the paci back into the blanket. Dcm was ticked. I told her licensing rules are nothing in bed with baby. I put her in a sleep sack for nap. She thinks as the parent what she says should be the way it is and does not want the necklace removed at all or her baby napping without her paci hooked on the blanket. I didn't really have an answer for her but it makes me wonder should the parents wishes overrule the state. I will go by the state rules because I have to. This is the same dcm who wanted me to wear babies breast milk in my bra to warm it and I won't do that either. What would you do?

I have not heard of the amber necklaces so I'll have to google. Looks like you got a lot of info on that already anyway. I was curious as to the wearing of the breastmilk to warm it request. I about spit my pop across the room when I read that. What in the world did you say to her when she asked that. That is hilarious!

[Unregistered]

Whatever it is do not take chances, its not worth it!