My son is terrified of...?

Question

the vacuum cleaner. Whenever I vacuum, my 11-month-old gets hysterical. I'll usually put him in his crib with toys and close the door to buffer the sound as much as I can and while it does help a little, he still gets very upset and is (understandably) clingy for quite some time afterwards. I try to avoid vacuuming for as long as possible but we have a beagle that sheds like it's all he knows how to do so I can't let it go more than a couple of days at most. Was/is your child the same way and how did/do you handle it? How long did it take them to get over this fear? I feel so bad for the poor kid but unfortunately it's something that needs to be done!

Answer 1

Well I think its just one of those phases babies go through. My friend's daughter also gets hysterical when she hears and sees the vacuum cleaner. I think every child is different and unfortunetly I don't know how long it will take to get over this fear however, stick in there. I believe in time, he will be ok.

Answer 2

get him a plastic one to playwith that will help the ones that make noise he'll get use to it

Answer 3

Emma went through a little phase like that....around seven/eight months I think.  I would just put her in her exersaucer and make funny faces at her....eventually she got over it.  Maybe he would feel better if he could see you?  

Answer 4

I vacuumed since the day he came home so he would be used to it

Answer 5

I started out by carrying my daughter with me when I vacuumed...that way she could snuggle against me when she got scared.  After doing that a few times I would turn on the vacuum and sit in the floor by it with her im my arms.  After sitting there for a couple minutes she started to calm down and get interested in what was making the noise.  I think I only had to do that twice before she realized the vacuum wasn't going to hurt her.  Now she chases the darn thing...

Answer 6

It will pass. Just be patient.

Do expose him to the noise in regular intervals.  Don't try to vaccum less, because he won't get use to it.

I know is difficult, but try to vacuum with him carried, he will feel more confident

Answer 7

my girly is the exact same!

she is 12mos. when i take it out the cupboard, she cries and flaps her hands about - before ive even put it on!

i usually put her in her cot with a few toys and put barney on - her favourite! barney can fix anything!

she has been like this for about 2mos.

Answer 8

I had to put my son in a snuggli when he was young so I could do things around the house with noisy items such as the vaccuum and starting the washer and dryer, something about the closeness to mom that makes them semi alright with the noise, now at 18 months old my son still doesnt like the vaccuum very much but does help me throw items into the washer when it comes to laundry time.

Answer 9

Well my son always loved the vacuum.  But I know alot of children are afraid of it though.  I just wanted to say the pic of your son is absolutely adorable!  What a handsome little man!

Answer 10

Ian will be 1 in 2 weeks and he cries and gets hysterical with ours too!!! The other day I got sick of it and was home alone with him so I picked him up and talked to him while I used the vac...he loved it and clapped frantically...then when he got heavy and I set him back in his crib he started freaking out again! So now my husband walks outside with Ian while I vac very quickly so it's all avoided.

Answer 11

Brady is 6 months and as long as he can see the vacuum he's fine. I usually put him in his exisaucer when I vacuum and I start near him so he can see what I'm doing. When I first turn it on he puts on his "I'm scared face" But once he see's what I'm doing he calms down. Sounds like he just needs to get used to the sound and see what it actually does.  

Answer 12

It will pass upon when he grows up. Try talking to his pediatrician about it.

Answer 13

Try leaving the vacuum out in the living room for a few days while you are not using it...let him check it out, push it around etc..  After a couple of days, turn it on for a second and act like it is something fun and exciting, maybe even let him turn it on.  Let the vacuum run a little longer each day until he is to the point where it doesn't bother him.