“hello there! I’m seeing a post about rubbing vanilla extract onto babies gums shared ALOT! as a baker I know that some vanilla extracts contain up to 40% alcohol… maybe you could advise your followers !”
If you are seeing this bad advice in your online or real-life mammy groups, please share this with them.
Every so often, in the name of “natural”, the internet comes up with truly bad ideas. Vanilla Extract is not a safe or natural alternative treatment for teething, no matter if it is certified organic.
Why? Most preparations are 30-34% ethanol (making it about 70 proof). It is the equivalent of the old practice of putting whiskey or gin on your babies gums (I shouldn’t have to say it but: No, don’t, it’s not safe.)
While we are here talking dangerous teething remedies, it’s a good time to remind everyone about the international warning about amber teething beads that was issued 22/12/18, and got kind of lost in the Christmas shuffle:
“Since 22 December 2018, major health organisations including the HSE, NHS, and the FDA in US, as well as international paediatric experts, have put out formal warnings against amber teething beads/jewelry. However, the fatal strangulation of a napping 18 month old 21/12/18 in USA, has prompted the recent statements. This follows increasing evidence of injury: a near-fatal choking of a 7-month old on wooden teething beads in US, afatal amber beads choking in 2016 in California, US, and non-fatal strangulations in UK in 2015 and Canada in 2017 are among the most notable cases. Other reports have called for a ban after injuries for last 3 years in France. Doctors haven’t formally been collecting statistics, but rather publishing isolated cases. The FDA is now collecting injury statistics in 2019.
Amber teething beads might be sold strung on a bracelet, anklet, or necklace. The sellers usually claim that the amber releases a pain-relieving substance that is absorbed through the skin. Some claim that they stimulate the thyroid gland to control drooling. Others also say that it boosts immune system or reduces inflammation. Others claim it can help treat ADHD/ADD in toddlers. There is no scientific evidence for any of these claims.
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