22 Month Old Scared of Vacuum.

My almost-5-year-old did the same thing and also had big problems with my hair dryer and with those electric hand dryers in public restrooms (which made for lots of issues with wet hands once she was potty-trained). For her it's definitely a noise thing. She still needs to be in her room with the door closed if I'm vacuuming or blowdrying my hair, although she's starting to be willing to use the hand dryers now. Truth be told, part of why I hate vacuuming myself is because it's so noisy and I can't hear anything else while I'm doing it.
22 months is also prime time for separation issues and concrete thinking development. He might have noticed that things get sucked up into the vacuum and don't come out, and is worried that that will happen to him, too. I know this happens for lots of kids about the toilet also. Maybe you could try having him watch you empty the vacuum canister or change the bag or whatever?

Hi A.:

You've gotten some great advice so far. I just wanted to throw something out to keep in the back of your mind. Some children with auditory sensitivities can show a fear of certain sounds, like a vacuum, hair dryer, lawn mower, firecrackers. As other moms said, some children have a fear and out grow it or learn to deal with it but some children have a real problem. Keep track of other auditory issues that your son may have and monitor how it's impacting his day to day living. If he won't go to certain functions because of "fear of noise", you might want to look into an occupational therapy evaluation for sensory integration concerns. Many kids show emotional responses only because they don't have the words to explain whats going on inside their bodies. Just something to keep in mind as therapy can do wonders if it turns out to impact his day. More information just in case...

http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/

C. (mom & OT)

I thought my kid was the only one who did this!!! He's now 4, but I went through the exact same thing... absolutely petrified of the thing. I resorted to not vacuuming when he was home or doing it when someone else was with me to comfort him. I often wondered if it was something in the pitch of the sound the vacuum made; maybe it hurt his ears. I think what finally got him over it was that I left the vacuum in the middle of the kitchen for several days. It was kind of a nuisance; had to walk around the stupid thing all the time, but it became a fixture.

He'll grow out of it soon!
Deb.

My oldest was terrified of the vacuum, too. He finally got over it when I forced him to use it when he was about 2 1/2. He had dumped his snack on the floor so I made him use the vacuum to clean up the mess. He put a hat on to cover his ears and I showed him all the parts of the vacuum while it was off, even turning it over so he could see the roller. I had him touch it and start pushing while it was still off and then let him turn it on. He was nervous but did great! He hasn't been afraid since and now, at 5-years-old, loves that chore. =)

Hi A.,

I just found this on babycenter.com. Hope it helps!

Social Development
Just as some kids love to climb and others couldn't care less, your baby's emerging personality may show up in a variety of new fears. Common phobias at this stage include fear of vacuum cleaners, the bathtub, thunder, and the dark--or your child may come up with her own. These fears are caused by the realization that the world is more complex, and therefore, more potentially dangerous, than previously thought. Offer reassurance and, where possible, practical solutions--a night-light, new toys for the tub, a "meet-and-greet" session with the vacuum when it's not being used. Be sympathetic, but keep it light, short, and sweet, and her anxiety will pass with time.

My little girl was terrified of the vacuum at that age too. She is 4.5 now and still doesn't like it. I always tell her when the vacuum is going to be on and she usually chooses to go in her room and will sit way back on her bed until I am done. My 2.5 year old son, on the other hand, loves it and follows me as I vacuum. I think we all have phobias - some of which we get over, some we don't. I think telling him before vacuuming and letting him be somewhere he feels safe while you vacuum is best. I think we startled our daughter with the vacuum a few times...ours is pretty old and loud. Letting her know the vacuum is going to be on has helped our situation a lot.

My 22-month-old son is pretty afraid of the vacuum, too. He runs and sits on the couch while I run it. Sometimes he cries. I don't think it's a big deal. Kids develop many fears and grow out of them.

Our 2 1/2 year old is exactly the same... we ended up getting a Roomba which she finds funny ("roboty") rather than scary. At least our floors are clean again!

Hello. I dont thin you have anything to worry about. My son who is almost a year has the same issue. He is not as terrified as your son, but when i pull that vacumme out, he freezes, and sits and watches it almost in terror.. he I have let him play with it, and touch it.. but he is just not going to like it, i have decided. I am not worried because I have a friend who's son does the same thing seems to me its common in little boys. Maybe cuz they will grow to be men and not want anything to do with it then either. ha ha.

Good luck.

When my toddler was a year old he developed a fear of the vacuum and did much the same as your little one. We just worked around him, trying not to purposely upset him or turn it on when he was standing nearby, but not avoiding all contact either. After awhile, he would initially cower and cry in a different room rather than scream and crawl away, but eventually got used to it and now, at 17 mos. old, he walks right up to it. We have three different machines, and I have noticed that he is bravest with the quietest one, and still timid around the old, noisy one. I think the little encounters with it over time, and our neutral attitude (neither catering to his fear, nor demanding that he not be afaid) have allowed him to adjust at his own pace. We have a big family in a small house so the vacuum is used daily. I just go about my chores as a matter of course and the kids have to get used to it.

SAHM of seven

It's just a phase. Vacuum when he naps or goes to bed.

Just keep reassuring him "It's not scary" very gently everytime he sees it. Also try turning it on and gasp and turn it back off right away and make it funny to turn it off and on a couple times. And laugh when you do it so he sees you are not scared of it and that it is you who has the power of turning on and off and that the vacumm is not making the noise unless you turn it on. Kids love buttons! After you've done it a few times you can see if he wants to try. The other thing we have is a small hand size vac for small jobs. I use that on a daily baises for real quick clean ups and only use the big one weekly. He will grow out of it:)