3-Year Old Afraid of the Wind

My 3 1/2 year old daughter Bella started to fear the wind last year. I was able to talk with her and she said "it makes me cold". This year I found a thick leather jacket with a hood attached, (it also has a high neck if she doesn't wear the hood), so she is protected. The jacket comes down past her butt and this year she has not freaked out. I also let her know that it is going to be cold when we go out and that it will be okay because we will just be going to the car where she will be safe. It may sound a little different, but she may need a thick coat or even a snow suit. I was blessed and found this one at Kid to Kid for about twelve dollars and it looks brand new. You may want to try them first. Also try the usual gloves, scarfs, etc. Good luck!

I've read (and have some experience with a niece who has OCD) that the best way to get a child over a fear is to desensitize them from the fear by gently exposing them to the fear. Do you have a box fan or something of the like in your house or know someone who does that you could borrow? Have you tried fans on her before and does she react the same way to them as the outside wind? Hopefully, she doesn't like the fans, just like she doesn't like the wind outside. That way, you can slowly and gently get her used to the wind coming from the fan, in a controlled environment. Try to keep in on as much as possible and start it on low, obviously. Play with it- show her how fun wind can be (use pinwheels to blow, bubbles, etc) and just have fun- telling her, see, wind is fun!! Yey!! Let us know if anything has helped, please.

Well, from experience with my own 4 year old, I will tell you that you are entering a phase of many minor and major fears. And, for the most part, they run their course and go away. We really try to acknowledge them but we try to not to overreact....we simply stay calm and remind her that she is safe in our care. However, one idea with the wind may be to put a stretchy headband over her ears or a hat with ear covers and then her ears will be covered. That helps a lot with blocking the wind AND the noise and pressure changes it causes in the ear. YOu could even tell her it is a special or magical wind shield. Also....if she has long hair, maybe tying it back will help keeping it from whipping her in the face. Lastly, possibly wearing sunglasses as part of her "magical wind armor" will help the wind from making her eyes water or dry out. Anything to help "protect" her from the sensory experience of wind until she feels more confident and secure. Just a few ideas.....let us know what ends up helping!!

Have her ears checked - it may not be fear but extreme discomfort, especially since it bothers her when she's inside too.

Are you sure that it's just a matter of her being scared? Could it be that she has an ear infection and the wind is actually hurting her? Or maybe it's the sound of it that scares her- I worked with a child with sound sensitivities and he had similiar reactions to the wind. I hope this was helpful and good luck!

My daughter is 3 and has the same issue. She always has. She doesn't like the windows down in the car and she hates being outside when it's windy. I think it's because it takes her breath away. That's the only thing I can think. I wish I had more insight for you. If you find the "cure" let me know and I'll be sure and do the same!
~L.

Our oldest daughter was afraid of the wind and sometimes still is, at 7. She doesn't like the sound of it in her ears-she has sensitive ears and has had tubes and all of that. So, Perhaps she is scared of the noise like we were.

Definately check her ears out. To this day, I cannot ride in the car with the windows open when it is just a bit windy. My ears start to hurt.

My little girl went through a phase where she freaked out at the wind, too. I don't really know why, but I think it is becuase it took her breath away once. What worked for us was hoods. For some reason, if she has a hood on when its windy she feels protected. It passed and she's fine with the wind (mostly) now. If its the kind of wind that can liteally knock her down, she's not thrilled with it...but come to think of it, neither am I! Good luck! I hope it passes soon for you!

Hi K.,

My daughter has the same issue, she is now almost 2 and has had it since she was a baby. She absolutely does not like wind. I am sure they will grow out of this, but I second the hood thing. Anytime I have my little one out in the wind, I put a hoodie jacket on her...if I don't pull it up she asks me to, and this really does help. She likes the security of it on her head I guess???? Got Me, all I know is that she doesn't cry and freak out about the wind with a hat or hoodie.

This is my life right now...my 2.5 year old is terrified. Her daycare teacher suggested talking to her pediatrician. This is her only real fear. Did you find some sort of resolution? I don't know what to do