No — amber teething necklaces are not safe for babies, and the question deserves a plain answer because these necklaces are sold widely across Indian marketplaces and gifted with the best intentions. They carry a documented strangulation and choking risk, and there is no scientific evidence that they relieve teething pain at all. Here is what the research actually shows, and what genuinely soothes sore gums instead.
Quick Takeaways
- In a peer-reviewed laboratory study, 8 of the 10 amber necklaces tested at 0.73 kg of force failed to open — that force being the average needed to block a young child's airway.
- There is no published scientific evidence that amber necklaces relieve teething pain; the claimed pain-relieving compound, succinic acid, is only released from amber near 200°C.
- Regulators and paediatric bodies internationally have warned against teething jewellery after reports of choking and at least one death by strangulation during a nap.
- Loose beads are a second, independent hazard: if the string snaps, each bead is a choking hazard sized exactly wrong for a baby's airway.
- Safe alternatives that actually work: a chilled (never frozen) solid silicone teether, clean-finger gum massage, and extra cuddles during eruption weeks.
- For teethers sold in India, look for BIS Certified (IS 9873) on the pack — it is the Indian safety standard for products a baby mouths.
What the Evidence Actually Says
The most direct test of the safety claim comes from a study published in Paediatrics & Child Health, which put 15 shop-bought amber necklaces through the standard breakaway tension test for children's jewellery. Nearly half failed to release at the industry-standard 6.8 kg of force. A subset of 10 necklaces was then tested at a much lower 0.73 kg — the mean force researchers established is enough to close a young child's airway — and 8 of those 10 failed to open. Retailer claims that the necklace "breaks before it can harm your baby" did not survive contact with a weight and a pulley.
Real-world reports match the laboratory: a published case report describes a 4-month-old strangled non-fatally by an amber necklace worn overnight, and an 18-month-old in the United States died when his necklace caught during a daycare nap. Suffocation is already a leading cause of death in children under one — a cord around the neck stacks the odds the wrong way.
The "Succinic Acid" Claim, Examined
Sellers claim Baltic amber releases succinic acid when warmed by the baby's skin, which then acts as a natural painkiller. The chemistry does not cooperate: succinic acid is released from amber only at temperatures approaching 200°C. A baby's neck is 37°C. No study has ever demonstrated an analgesic effect from wearing amber, in India or anywhere else.
Risk vs Benefit: The Honest Table
| Question | Amber necklace | Chilled silicone teether |
|---|---|---|
| Proven pain relief? | No published evidence | Yes — cold plus counter-pressure on gums |
| Strangulation risk? | Yes — worn around the neck, often during sleep | None — held in the hand, nothing around the neck |
| Choking risk? | Yes — beads if the string breaks | Designed as one solid piece, too large to swallow |
| Indian safety standard? | None applies | BIS Certified (IS 9873) options available |
What Actually Soothes Teething Gums
Cold and gentle pressure are the two things that demonstrably help. Chill a solid silicone teether in the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes — never the freezer, because frozen silicone gets hard enough to bruise gums. The Cubkins Silicone Ring Teether is BIS Certified (IS 9873), made from 100% food-grade silicone in a single solid piece, and its five textured surfaces give sore gums varied counter-pressure — held in your baby's hand, with nothing around their neck. Clean-finger gum massage before feeds works well too, especially during monsoon weeks when swollen gums make babies refuse food. For a full set of gentle techniques to get through the hardest eruption nights, see our guide on soothing a teething baby at night.
If you want to understand what the IS 9873 mark actually tests for — and why so few teethers in India carry it — our explainer on BIS certification for teethers breaks down the standard clause by clause.
What About Black Threads and Nazar Beads?
Many Indian families tie a black thread or nazar battu around a baby's neck or wrist for protection. The same physics applies to anything encircling the neck: if it does not release under a small force, it can catch and tighten. If the tradition matters to your family, prefer the wrist or ankle over the neck, keep it loose enough to slide two adult fingers under, and always remove it before sleep — the documented strangulations happened during naps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do amber teething necklaces actually work for teething pain?
No. There is no published clinical evidence of pain relief from amber necklaces, and the succinic acid mechanism sellers describe requires temperatures near 200°C — far beyond body heat. Any calm you observe is coincidence or normal fluctuation in teething discomfort.
Is an amber necklace safe if my baby only wears it while supervised?
Supervision reduces but does not remove the risk — strangulation can happen quickly and quietly, and choking on a snapped bead can occur while you watch. Paediatric safety bodies advise against teething jewellery in all circumstances, supervised or not.
Are amber anklets or bracelets safer than necklaces?
They remove the strangulation risk but keep the choking risk: if the string snaps, the beads are exactly the size a baby will mouth and inhale. A solid one-piece teether avoids both hazards entirely.
What is the safest teether for an Indian baby?
A single-piece teether made from 100% food-grade silicone, large enough that it cannot be swallowed, with no cords, clips or detachable parts — chilled in the fridge, never frozen. In India, the BIS Certified (IS 9873) mark confirms the product has passed the national safety standard for teethers.
About the Author
Samarth Jain is the Co-Founder of Cubkins. As a parent, he built Cubkins around one question: "Would I let my own daughter use this?" Every Cubkins product must meet rigorous safety and certification standards before it reaches your home.