At some point in your child’s development, they will begin teething. Some kids experience teething pain more than others and become extremely fussy and uncomfortable.
Finding relief for your child can cause you to spend hundreds on various types of teething toys.
By far, the most sanitary and easy teething option for your child is the teething necklace.
Here are 13 of the most popular teething necklaces we like:
Our Top Picks
- This necklace has a variety of shapes and colors to keep your child occupied and stimulated.
- The necklace can be washed in the dishwasher for the best clean.
- There are individual knots between the beads to keep them on the string.
- This necklace is better for women with longer hair, as the beads are further down on the string and are less likely to get caught in your hair.
- This necklace reduces the risk of chocking as the pendant is larger than regular beads.
- The necklace is very long, and easy for a child to play with from any height.
- There are no beads around the neck for hair to get caught up and wrapped around.
- The necklace can easily be cleaned in a dishwasher.
- The beads are kept safely on the string, even if there is a break, because of the knots between the beading.
- The back of the necklace is left bead-free so that your hair is not as easily caught in the beads.
- The necklace can be easily cleaned in the dishwasher for ultimate sanitation.
- This necklace has a variety of shapes and colors to keep your child occupied and stimulated.
- The necklace can be washed in the dishwasher for the best clean.
- There are individual knots between the beads to keep them on the string.
- This necklace is better for women with longer hair, as the beads are further down on the string and are less likely to get caught in your hair.
- This necklace reduces the risk of chocking as the pendant is larger than regular beads.
- The necklace is very long, and easy for a child to play with from any height.
- There are no beads around the neck for hair to get caught up and wrapped around.
- The necklace can easily be cleaned in a dishwasher.
- The beads are kept safely on the string, even if there is a break, because of the knots between the beading.
- The back of the necklace is left bead-free so that your hair is not as easily caught in the beads.
- The necklace can be easily cleaned in the dishwasher for ultimate sanitation.
*All product links in this article will take you to the latest prices on Amazon.com, scroll down for our in-depth reviews below.
The Teething Process
Just when you are finally feeling adjusted to your newborn and your changed life, a new stage begins. Somewhere between 3 to 7 months old, your baby will begin the uncomfortable and trying stage of teething according to KidsHealth.
Teething refers to the growing in of a baby’s teeth. This usually causes quite a large amount of discomfort for your child, as the teeth start breaking through the gum-line. This process is also accompanied by your child starting to chew on everything and anything that fits in their mouth.
The good news is, there is an end to the teething process. Most children will have all their teeth by the time they turn 3. While the average child starts the process around 4 months, some can start at 3, or even be born with a tooth or two already broken through.
The first teeth to grow in tend to be the incisors in the middle of their bottom gums. From there, the top central teeth grow in. Then the bottom teeth next in line grow, and second to last are the molars.
Once the molars are in, then your child’s eye teeth emerge. The rate and order your child’s teeth grow does not normally indicate a health concern, except if it is accompanied by a fever, or it takes longer than 3 years to grow in.
These teeth that have grown in are called your child’s baby teeth. They will only serve your child during their first few years. By the age of 6 or 7, they will begin losing those teeth. The teeth tend to fall out in the same order that they grew in.
When they fall out, they will be replaced by the child’s permanent adult teeth. In addition, they will have the added set of wisdom teeth.
The child’s teeth won’t loosen, unless the adult tooth is ready to come in and begins pushing on the baby tooth. This second growth process can last till your child is anywhere from 17 to 21 years old.
Teething Care
As your newborn’s first set of teeth come in, there are certain ways to ease the discomfort and prevent any type of additional pain or infection. Brushing your child’s teeth doesn’t have to wait till they have teeth. Your child’s gums can be washed with a clean washcloth or gauze. They can also be gently brushed with a soft toothbrush.
Once that first tooth appears, toothpaste can be added to the toothbrush. Keep in mind, your child is still small and does not know the difference between toothpaste and food.
To prevent your child from swallowing a harmful amount of toothpaste, make sure to limit the amount used. Once the child reaches an age where they are able to spit out the toothpaste, more can be used. Flossing can be added to the routine once the teeth start to touch.
When teeth aren’t brushed regularly, tooth decay can begin. Even though these are just baby teeth, and will ultimately be replaced, tooth decay is still very serious.
If a baby tooth has tooth decay, it can cause it to fall out before the adult tooth is ready to replace it. This will leave gaps in your child’s gums for long periods of time. The other teeth will then slowly begin shifting to fill those gaps. This causes the permanent teeth, in turn, to come in crooked.
Teething Pain Prevention
You will know your child has begun teething by a sudden increase in drool, their chewing of solid objects, their irritability, and of course the tender and slightly swollen gums. The MayoClinic gives a few helpful hints on how to ease the pain that often accompanies the teething process.
Cold temperatures help ease the discomfort associated with teething. Though, if you use frozen objects, this could cause bruising. In addition, the contact with extreme temperatures such as extreme cold, can cause added harm to your child’s gums.
The recommendation is to use chilled teething toys, food, or wash clothes. Some teething toys are liquid-filled for the purpose of holding in the cold.
The risk with the liquid toys is having the plastic get damaged from the cooling process or chewing, in which case the liquid will begin to seep out. Wash clothes that are chilled do not hold this risk.
Hard foods can be comforting on the gums as well. Combing the hard food with the cold is a double comfort. Some examples are cucumber, peas, and carrots.
The risk with this method is that the food can get broken and pose a chocking hazard. A close eye needs to be kept on children who are gnawing on a cucumber.
Otherwise, the food can be cut into smaller pieces. Frozen peas are a great option as they are generally small enough to avoid chocking, but still provide the hardness and chill factor. This method is only for older children who are teething and should not be used if the child does not eat solid foods yet.
Keeping your child clean is very important during this time. They will be drooling a lot more than usual. Make sure you are consistently wiping away the drool as not to cause skin irritation or rashes from their face being left wet. Giving your child a drool bib can help make this process easier and more convenient.
Medications can be used in extreme cases to help relieve pain that is constant and interferes with their daily needs such as eating and sleeping.
The recommended medication to take is over-the-counter medicine such as Tylenol or ibuprofen. Try to avoid teething medication that contains Benzocaine as it has been known to have dangerous side effects.
Another medication with negative side effects is homeopathic teething gels and tablets. If you can avoid taking medication altogether and use some of the other methods, that is always the best choice. Otherwise, consult your doctor and use only what he prescribes or recommends in the way of teething relief.
Types of Teething Necklaces
Teething toys are toys and objects made with enough resistance to ease the pain of teething, without causing additional pain or bruising from being too hard.
Teething Rings
Often times, teething toys are small rings, or rubber toys that children hold and chew on. Unfortunately, those types of toys pose a sanitary risk. Young children like to throw things on the ground, and teething toys are no exception.
You may not always have the convenience of a sink or wipes to clean the toy each time they are tossed. Some places, such as city streets, may be nasty enough that you wouldn’t even have the desire to attempt to clean the toy once it was thrown.
Teething Necklaces
Teething necklaces eliminate this issue. A teething necklace would be like a regular necklace that is worn, except the beads or objects hanging on the string are safe and healthy for a child to chew on to help ease any teething discomfort.
This is a great way to have a teething toy always ready when they need it, without having to worry about when they drop it as it is always attached.
When choosing a teething necklace, there are a few cautions to keep in mind. The biggest decision factor in the necklace is what it is made of.
Always double check all the materials in the necklace, as your child will spend a considerable amount of time with it in their mouth. If the necklace has gone through FDA inspection or has any other stamp of safety on it, those should be your first choice.
The second consideration is the string. Last thing you want to happen is for the string to rip and the beads to fall off in your child’s mouth or their play area where your child can choke on them. This should not be an issue if you purchase a good quality necklace and check it regularly for frayed string.
When looking for a teething necklace, two main necklaces will come up. The first is the amber bead necklace for your baby and the second is a teething necklace for the mom, usually with silicone beads.
Amber Teething Necklace For Babies
Amber teething necklaces are becoming increasingly popular, especially among people who enjoy trying natural remedies. According to healthychildren.org these necklaces are made to be worn by the baby, where the materials being in contact with your infants skin help sooth your child.
The warmth from your child’s skin is supposed to warm up the beads of the necklace. This will release an ingredient in the Amber that will relieve pain. The Amber is also supposed to help with drooling as it stimulates the thyroid gland. Lastly, it boosts the immune system, which then in turn helps reduce the swelling that may be caused by the teething process.
While this may seem to be too good to be true, scientists say it is. Yet, some parents still swear by these necklaces. But, there is yet no evidence to support these claims.
In addition, a child wearing a necklace poses a host of other risks. Anytime a child has something around their neck, strangulation is a possibility.
A child wearing a necklace needs to be in constant supervision. The parent needs to consistently be checking to make sure the necklace isn’t getting twisted or caught on the surroundings.
In addition, it needs to be taken off if the child will be left even for a moment. A child should definitely never be put down to sleep while still wearing a necklace.
Not only is there a risk of strangulation, but also of chocking. If a child has a necklace, they are in the most control of it. If it breaks, the child will have the opportunity to swallow the beads before a parents could notice or remove the child from the area.
With all these risks present, Amber necklaces have been highly cautioned against by many organizations and doctors including the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Teething Necklaces Worn By Mothers
The second, and safer option for teething necklaces are those worn by mothers. These necklaces are often times made of silicone beads. Companies try and make the beads both fashionable for a mother to pair with her outfit, as well as colorful to stimulate and attract the infant.
These beads not only give your child relief from teething pain, but also remove the risk of wearing regular jewelry. As your child is teething, they will have the habit of grabbing anything that attracts their attention, and putting it in their mouth.
Regular necklaces are chocking hazards for young children. This is why many mothers find themselves leaving off the accessories while they have a teething child.
The teething necklaces are safe for your child to put in their mouth, and can help accessorize your outfit. These are especially helpful for mothers who breast feed or baby carry, as their child spends additional time in reach of their mother’s jewelry.
This way, when you are out and about in public places, you can keep your child close and allow them to relieve their pain with your necklace, and when you are home or in a sanitary place, you can put your child down and give them a hand held teething toy without ever having to worry about what germs your child is putting in their mouth from teething toys that get tossed down in public places.
Best Teething Necklaces
Here are 13 of the most popular teething necklaces for a mother to wear:
Mama & Little Silicone Baby Teething Necklace
The beads are in four different colors: gray, mind, tan, and brown. These colors give the necklace a beautiful, yet neutral appearance that can match many outfits you wear as a mother, while still providing the safety and comfort of a teething toy for your child.
The beads on the necklace are made from 100% food-grade silicone. This silicone is safe for your child to put in their mouth, without fear of harmful chemicals being ingested as it is a nonporous design which does not harbor the growth of bacteria.
When it comes time to clean the necklace, it is a breeze. This necklace is safe to wash in a dishwasher for a more thorough and sanitary clean, on the top rack, without hurting the look and use of the necklace.
The necklace includes a safety breakaway clasp. This helps to keep you from getting hurt from the necklace. It also prevents your hair from getting caught up in the clasp while your child is playing with the necklace.
The string that holds the necklace is more like a cord-like material to decrease the chances of breaking. The beads themselves are also very durable, so they cannot be chewed off the cord individually either.
Mama & Little creates beautiful teething jewelry and nursing necklaces. The Olivia design is one of their most popular necklaces for its safety and beautiful design. They guarantee their products are free from BPA, PVC, and Phthalates.
Cons: This is a beautiful necklace with many colors. Best of all, the beads are completely safe for your child to put in their mouth. This necklace, though, is not recommended with mothers whose hair is longer than shoulder length, due hair sticking and wrapping around the beads. The necklace is made from round, turquoise beads all the way around. It then clasps with an easy clasp at the back. The bracelet matches the necklace with the same round, turquoise beads. This gives the mom two jewelry options to wear for their child’s teething help. The jewelry set both come with FDA approved, food grade silicone beads. They are free from BPA, PVA, Latex, rubber, and lead. In addition, the jewelry can be easily and safely washed in the dishwasher to keep them sanitary between uses. The necklace is 30 inches in length. The bracelet is 6 millimeters. The set is also available in a gray color, if a mom wanted a more neutral option to the turquoise set. Both color options are only available in solid colors. The beads themselves are kept on by the clasp, and are not knotted in between each bead. Cons: For parents who may not always wear necklaces, this set is a great alternative. It gives you the option of wearing the bracelet or the necklace, both of which are made from the same safe silicone material. This is another necklace that is not ideal for mothers with longer hair. It is made from two strands of beads. Each strand is a different color. The strands are held together on one side by a beautiful, silicone rose the same color as the inner strand of beads. This fashionable necklace comes in a couple different color combos to match nearly every outfit you may own. The colors available are black/cream, black/white, mint/cream, mint/gray, and gray/pearl. All are two strands and have one rose. The beads are held on by a silk-like rope. There is a small knot that is supposed to hold the beads at the bottom of the string, but the knot is smaller and the beads still manage to slip up. The beads are made from a BPA Free, phtalate-free, cadmium-free, lead-free, metal-free silicone. In addition, it meets the CPSIA, CE, and international standards of baby safety. The product comes with a lifetime guarantee. Cons: This necklace is definitely one of the more stylish options when it comes to teething necklaces. Unfortunately, this necklace also poses additional risks due to the longer string left exposed. If supervised properly, it can still be a great teething option for your infant. This necklace is made with 100% food grade silicone. It is free from BPA, Phthalates, lead, PVC, Latex, Metal, and Cadmium. It also meets the standards of the CPSIA, CE, and international Standards. The necklace also has FDA approval. For extra safety, this necklace can be washed in the dishwasher between uses to keep it clean of bacteria and germs. The necklace has two types of beads all the way around the string. There are small circular beads and larger oval beads for a variety of sensory stimulation for your child. The necklace is a solid color. There are an amazing 21 vivid color options. This allows for you to purchase multiple necklaces to go with any outfit you may have. The necklace easily closes with a breakaway clasp for the mother’s safety. The necklace is available as a 30 inch necklace or a 38 inch necklace for just a few dollars more. This allows each mom to choose the necklace length that would best work for her size and her child’s needs. Cons: This necklace has many options when it comes to color and size. This makes it a very easy necklace to find just what you need. It is also one of the longer necklaces you will find. Just be cautious of the beads, as they are all the way around the back and can catch longer hair. It is made from small, round beads that go all around the necklace and join at a safe, breakaway clasp for the safety of the mother. The variety of colors offer great visual stimulation, while still allowing the mother to be fashionable. The necklace is made from 100% medical grade silicone. For additional safety, the necklace has knots in between each bead. This way, if the necklace happens to break, the other beads will stay on the string, away from your child to prevent chocking. The entire necklace is also dishwasher safe, so that it can be cleaned and sanitized properly between uses. The necklace comes in 19 color options. The beads are small enough to look good if two necklaces are worn together for more color. And yet, they are large enough to look good if worn on their own. The necklace is around 30 inches long, and hangs down around 14 inches. Cons: This is a safer option because of the individual knots, as well as a colorful option due to the wide variety of options. But when it comes to fashionable, this necklace doesn’t quite cut it. If you don’t mind wearing the necklace despite its look, then it is a good choice. But if you will end up taking it off often, at that point a hand held teething toy would have worked just as well and the necklace is not doing its job.
Pearl Baby Teething Necklace-Made With 100% Food Grade Silicone Teething Beads
Baltic Wonder Baltic Amber Necklace
Silicone Teething Necklace for Mom to Wear
Chewbeads Jane Teething Necklace, 100 % Safe Silicone
