7Mo Old Freaks Out When Vacuum and Hair Dryer Come On...

Instead of having daddy take her out of the room and away from the noise, have him hold her in sight and earshot of you while you vacuum. That way, he's "protecting" her, and she can see what's going on and eventually learn it's not scary. You can also try holding her while you vacuum, or he can vacuum while holding her. Good luck!

Wow, this brings back memories. My oldest daughter was petrified of the vacuum cleaner- she couldn't even be in the same house or she would scream and tremble. She will grow out of it. One suggestion is to try putting her in a sling or baby carrier and talking to her about what the vacuum is and what it does (I know at this age, it might not seem like she'll understand, but they actually do understand a lot more than we think). Another thing that helped my daughter was the swing. She did cry a little bit at first, but once she got used to the idea that the vacuum would not suck her up, she relaxed a little more. Just explain to her that it's okay and everyone vacuums. If your husband can help by distracting her some until she gets used to it, that can help too (at that time, I was a single mom, so my daughter had to deal with it or we'd have a dirty house :)). Good luck- as I said, she will grow out of it and it will get easier. As a side note, my husband and I have 2 more kids and they both LOVE the vacuum and will "help" me with their own play vacuums and love me to "chase" them (as well as my oldest one now). It's amazing how kids can be so different :)

B.,

Be patient. With age and experience, she will grow out of this problem. We had the same problem with my son when his dad played his bagpipes. At the time, we were living in a mobile home. We found the best solution was to put Bob and the bagpipes at one end of the home and my son at the other end. After a few practice sessions, my son stopped fussing.

We had the same sort of problem this week with our border collie when I got out my clarinet and started to practice - after a 25 year hiatus. The dog freaked out. So, we are dealing with it again, too.....

Good luck.

You have some good suggestions I'll have to try, also. I have a 14 month who still cries at the sound of the juicer (!!!) as well as the vacuum and hair dryer.

I remember my oldest was like that and grew out of it. She is almost 28 and is fine now.

I had to hold her while my husband vacummed or she would scream!
C. B

Both of my boys did the same thing. I used to put them downstairs while I vacuumed upstairs. Then, there was an episode of Sid the Science Kid on PBS that showed Sid covering his ears when his baby brother cried. I reminded my 2-year old son of that and he started covering his ears when I vacuumed (and used the mixer!); then his 10-month old brother would cover his ears, too. I'd remind them, "See, it's not loud when you cover your ears!" Another trick I use is a mini-vacuum they got for Christmas. Now they fight over who gets to use it when mommy vacuums. When I run the hair dryer, my 2-year old always comes and shuts the bathroom door so he can't hear it as loudly. Just give it time and they'll get used to it.

My little girl used to do the same thing. I started acting like the hair dryer or vacuum were really great and would say "Yay!" and clap and act excited when I'd turn it on. Then I'd be silly when I'd use it (like dancing around with big, silly gestures and stuff), so she'd think it was a fun thing and not scary. You probably want to try doing this when you're alone, since the silliness can be pretty extreme to get baby happy with it! It took me a few times, but now my daughter laughs when the hair dryer goes on. Hope you figure something out that works for you! Good luck :)

I was a Nanny to a boy that at six months became afriad of the Vacuum. I put him in his snuggly back pack when I rand the machine. It was very frustrating at first but he got used to it after a while. That way she'll feel protected and close to you and you can get your work done. And you get a workout to boot. Good luck!!!

my son doesnt' like the vaccuum eiter. he also cries if the dogs bark by him. i just make sure not to react. he'll see that it's no big deal and stop on his own. so i don't remove him from it. i just keep vaccuuming and that way he sees its not scary. it's not going to hurt him.

My 2.5 year old is scared of the vacuum. It's only slightly better now, when she was much younger I had to vacuum while she slept, OR I put her in the ERGO carrier or the sling and sang to her, danced while vacuuming. It helped.

While at the salon the first time, she thought the hair dryer was a vacuum, and we had to talk about it, show her how it blows, before she was OK with it.
Good job mommin, B.!

I had a baby like this, too. He is now 17 months old, and is still a little freaked out by the vacuum, but not so much the hair dryer anymore. I usually ended up holding him while I was vacuuming (which is not easy, but was worth it!), which helped him stay calm, and I talked to him about the vacuum and told him what it was. When he was little enough, I would put him in a carrier (like a baby bjorn) while vacuuming. He's still not completely used to the noise, so now when I turn it on he'll sometimes cry, but not always. I also occasionally leave the vacuum out when it's off to just let him get used to it.

Have you tried putting her in a sling or front pack while you vacuum? This has helped several people I know. Good luck!! OH!!! I just saw that the person before me wrote the same thing!! Oh, well, that must mean that it works! Joy to all!

I used to hold mine while I did vacuumed. Then we tried my husband holding him and vacuuming...nothing like teaching him daddies not afraid and men can vacuum. :) Anyway, he is 11 months now and if I bring it out and remind him what's happening he does okay. It's seems to be gtting better the more often we do it. Perhaps you should try doing it every day so it becomes old hat to him. Good luck!

These ideas are all great..... but if it is a sensory issue of being louder than they can tolerate than you need to add some ear plugs/ear muffs as well. I had two children with hearing sensitivity. They are adjusted adults. Hang in there and try different things. You may need to hug them tight or brush their arms and legs lightly with your finger tips or a baby soft brush before doing the vacuuming so they will experience some other sensory feelings (holding them while vacuuming gives some of that distraction)

Have you tried holding her while you are vacuuming? My kids used to do this but I would pick them up and continue to vacuum while holding them and even let them push/pull on the handle to "help" me. Now that they are older they like to play games with me while I vacuum, I try to "vacuum" up their toes and feet.

I had one I just wore, either front or back, while I vacuumed. Or vacuum during naps. Gradually work closer to her room, and eventually you should be able to even vacuum under the crib while she sleeps. Of course, that depends on how loud your vacuum is. Usually having a sibling who isn't afraid helps, so next time around it won't be so bad, especially if she'll play games with you by then. We have a lot of fun now, but it didn't used to be that way. Some kids are always just more cautious. She may be one of those. Our oldest definitely is. Things like vacuums still require a lot of bravery for him, although he can play now and have fun. GL!

have you tried wearing her in a sling on your back, dancing as you vac? she will learn to love it. when she gets a little older she can ride on it while you work. it doesn't get hard to push until they are about 3 1/2..