Mailbox Mondays 8/16/10

Every Monday I will answer user submitted questions. They don't have to be about cloth diapering! I'll always answer questions via email, but if you would like your question to be answered in a Mailbox Mondays post, send an email with the subject "Mailbox Mondays" to change.diapers.change.the.world at gmail dot com!

Stephanie asks:

Have you ever tried an Amber teething necklace? If so, what is your opinion? I like the concept, but fear they would be a choking hazard.

Stephanie
 
I have!  I reviewed an Inspired by Finn Baltic amber teething necklace way back in April.  I thought it was adorable, and did seem to make a difference for my son.  One thing I really like about IBF is that the string has a teeny bit of "give" to it, and it will break if needed (like if your child were caught on something.)  At the same time, the beads are separated by individual knots, so if it broke, you wouldn't have beads everywhere. 
 
That said, we stopped using it when the teething eased up because my son started lifting it over his chin and into his mouth to chew on it.  I thought about buying one in a shorter length so he couldn't do that, but I never got around to it!

Winner of Inspired by Finn Giveaway and coupon/discount code!

The winner is Tami!  Congratulations Tami, I'm contacting you by email.

If you didn't win, don't forget that you can get 20% off your entire order from Inspired by Finn with coupon code Blog68.

Thank you to everyone who entered!

Inspired by Finn Baltic Amber Jewelry review and giveaway/discount! CLOSED 5/2

 

Inspired by Finn sells Baltic amber and hazelwood jewelry, including the beautiful teething necklace I was given to review.

The first time I heard "amber teething necklace" I thought people must be nuts.  Then, I learned about the benefits of Baltic amber.  I figured out that no, people weren't allowing their children to chew on jewelry.  When Baltic amber is worn on the skin, the skin’s warmth releases trace amounts of healing oils from the amber. These oils contain succinic acid and are absorbed into the skin.

Read more about the benefits of Baltic amber and check out the available shapes and colors.

I asked Inspired by Finn to choose the shape, color and length of my son's teething necklace for me.

It came in a cute gift box.

All jewelry is lead-free and phthalates-free and it meets all US legislative testing (CPSIA) requirements for children's jewelry.

Each bead is individually knotted and while it isn't "stretchy," it does have a tiny bit of "give" to it.  It will break if pulled, which is good for safety's sake.  Even so, I, personally, did not put the necklace on my son for naps etc.

The necklace has an easy to use, secure closure.

After I took these photos, I tucked the necklace under his shirt, so it was in contact with his skin.

The necklace is absolutely beautiful, and I want one for myself, if only because it is so pretty!

I couldn't resist taking this photo, he gave me the biggest grin when he saw the camera!

My husband says he looks like a hippie, and the cashier at Old Navy thought he was a girl.  My mom said it was because of the necklace, but several weeks ago, a Dad at the park told me he was "too pretty to be a boy" because of his big brown eyes and long lashes, LOL.  I think he looks adorable!

I can't really say whether it has eased his teething pain.  However, since he started teething, he has never really napped. 

After wearing the necklace, he napped for an hour and a half!!  So  yeah, I love my Inspired by Finn teething necklace!

Want it?  Buy it.  Use coupon code BLOG68  for 20% off your entire order!

Or, win it!  Inspired by Finn will send the winner of this giveaway one item 16 inches or SMALLER that is in stock.

How to enter:

1. Visit Inspired by Finn's store and select the item (16" or smaller and in stock) you would like to receive (mandatory entry).
2. Follow my blog (current followers count). Comment saying you're a follower to get your entry.
3. Fan me on Facebook (current fans count). Comment saying you're a fan to get your entry.
4. Blog about this giveaway and link back to me. Comment with a link to your blog post to get your entry.
5. Follow me on Twitter.  Comment saying you follow me.
6. Tweet about this giveaway.  Comment saying you did so, to get your entry.  1 tweet/entry per day.  "RT @chgdiapers Enter to win an Inspired by Finn Baltic Amber teething necklace (or other jewelry) until 5/2. http://bit.ly/98R6Ub #giveaway"


Note: Inspired by Finn has a Facebook page now.  It would be awesome if you beame a fan, but I can't add an entry option for that this late in the game, since it wouldn't be fair to those who already entered.


I will accept entries until Sunday, May 2nd at 9 P.M. EST.  I'll use random.org's random number generator to choose a winner. Please make sure to leave your email address in your comment if it isn't in your profile.

Thank you to Inspired by Finn for providing the products for the review and giveaway.  The freebie in no way influenced my review.

Edit August 2010:  We stopped using this when my son kept lifting it from under his shirt, over his chin and putting it in his mouth.  I have been wanting to buy a short one but haven't yet!