I am a first time SAHM with a wonderful 8 1/2 month old baby boy. Within the last month he has developed a fear of loud noises, specifically the vacuum cleaner. I used to be able to vacuum with no problem and he'd just smile. Now he screams! What can I do to help him get past this and still get my vacuuming done?
I kind of giggled at this when I read it, because my god-daughter was as well at around the same age. I don't know how developed your little one is at 8 1/2 mos, but you could try getting a toy vaccuum, have him help you push yours. If all else fails, there is always that robot vaccuum that is very quiet and does all the work itself. It's expensive, but it gets the job done. Just remember that it is only a phase, one of many that he will go through. He should grow out of it in time. If he is still fearful, try doing the vaccuming during nap time.
Good luck!
Ashli
I would suggest associating something positive with the vacuum.
What is his favorite toy or could you buy something he would LOVE? Then, every time you vacuum get this object out and let him enjoy it--The trick will be to ONLY let him play with it when you vacuum. So, each time you pull out the vacuum he will begin to get excited about the toy. Eventually after time, he will be adjusted:)
GL:)
I have an 8 in a half month old who is also afraid of the vaccum. With her it helps to be holding her before vaccum is turned on. At one point she use to not want to be in the same room, now we can hold her while vaccuming. She's also afraid of the buzzer on the dryer. Haven't figured out how to get her over that one yet. I'm sure its the being caught off guard at the loud noise. Maybe if you tried pretending to vaccum with it off, then warn him your going to turn it on. Just an idea.
Hi Nancy!
My boy did the same thing around that age and my husband was gone for a year in the Marine Corp.! I would have someone come over for a few minutes and take him outside to look at stuff. He out grew it in a few months. It just took time and patience! Good Luck, it does break your heart when they are scared like that. Monica
We had the same problem, once he we old enough to understand it I created a safe zone (usually the couch or a bed) and he always had his blankie, toys, best stuffed buddy to keep him company. It became fun for him to jump into the safe zone and watch me vacuum. It was also important that I never be coming toward him with the vacuum.
My son was exactly the same at that age, we gave him a safe spot to sit and continued to vacuum, after all it needs to get done. The funny thing was by 15/18months he was the complete opposite and would spend hours wanting to vacuum, and still at four he finds it fascinating that i encourage him, after all in 5 years time he will never want to go near it again. Gotto get my money's worth while i can!
I don't know if it would help, but I hold my son on my hip or put him in his carrier on my chest and sing and dance while I vacuum with the radio on. He giggles and laughs and the noise doesn't bother him then. It makes vacuuming slower but he has fun and I get a great workout. The down side is now when he sees the vacuum come out, he thinks it's time to sing and dance, which I guess isn't too bad!
Hi Nancy,
I am a new grandma but my son had the same problem. He screamed, cried and ran away everytime I touched it. I worked the fear down slowly. I started by NOT putting the vac away the last time I used it. I left it off to the side in the room. Since he was so afraid I had sent him outside with his father during the vacuuming. I left it there during the day. The next day I moved it out from the wall a bit. He screamed the minute I touched it but I just left it there and went to sit down so he would know I wasn't going to use it. I moved it several times over periods of time depending on how he was taking it. I made sure he had forgotten about it and was completely calm before doing any more. I didn't want to make the whole day a stress test for him. Over several days I began other measures. I took the pipes off and set them on the floor. I showed him how they went together and came apart, then put them down - away from the vac - and let him play with them. He did later. Then, I dissasembled it more. I undid the cord and the other pieces and just left them there. Each time I touched it he would fly into a panic and cry but less as time went on and I didn't use it anywhere near him. That is, I didn't plug it in. I had him help me push it and we played with the parts. When I finally did vacuum when he was in the house I let him know that it was going to be noisy and had his dad hold him where he could watch but feel safe. He slowly got used to it. We humans instinctively fear anything we don't understand so the more he understands about what it does helps lessen the fear. Best wishes. Karen Springer
I think all babies do that. Same with the car wash. It means they are more aware of their surroundings, so consider it a milestone! I would not make a big deal out of it and comfort him and laugh and tell him he is silly, then he will know it is not scary.
I have a daycare in my home, so I have had many different children around during vacuuming time. I have found that the ones who are frightened have really liked it when I get the dust buster out for them to use to help me while I am using the regular vacuum. They get so into their own "little vacuum" that they aren't so stressed about me using the big one. I would usually start by letting them use it without the big vacuum going so they had time to explore it and try it out without being overly stressed by the loud vacuum. Some of my daycare kids have now been with me for 7 or 8 years and they still love to get the dust buster out to clean up their messes or to help me clean. Your son may still be a little young for this but it might be worth a shot!
i had this same problem w/ our son! i was able to vacuum right under his swing when he was a newborn w/ him sleeping right through it. i think the older they get, the more in tune they are to loud noises. i have to wait until our son goes down for a nap in order to vacuum. his fear is still there...and he'll be two this saturday. i tried vacuuming w/ him in my arms...i tried making a game out of it. all w/ no success. maybe try during his naptime? good luck!
My son was the same way at about the same age. He got through it and now actually loves to take my little vaccuum and push it around himself with it on. What I did to help him get through it, is to let him explore the vaccuum and also while I was vaccuuming he would play with the attatchments that made him feel less afraid and part of the process. Now the only problem I incure is that he won't let me vaccuum without his help...
Hi! I was in the same boat with my son. It happened when we got a new vacuum. Anyway, as you say, you need to get it done. I suggested that he go into his bedroom & we would shut the door so it would not be as loud. He would still cry most of the time but I would take breaks & go in and reassure him. He has gotten over it now but he still does not like loud noises. Try earplugs or ear protectors. This works for my son and he even asks for them.
Good luck.
All three of my kids went through this stage, and all three got over it after a couple of months. I just made sure they were in a place that they could feel safe while I vacuumed.
My daughter does the same thing, she has hated it for a good 7-8 months now. (she is 14 months old). I just carry her when I vacuum. I also set the vacuum where she walks by it in the laundry room, and she is getting better, but still very worried when it turns on.
my son (now 23 months) went thru the same thing when he was around that age. he was afraid and would cry at any loud noise. he has since grown out of it. i would guess that it will pass for your son, as it did for mine. everything in their world is new to them, and they might like something at first, only to wonder if they should be afraid, maybe it's a new emotion for them, who really knows what's going on inside those little heads of theirs! good luck, i'm sure it won't last long!!
Hello Nancy,
I held my daughter when I vacuumed. It workked for us.
I had the same problem with my twins! I put them in their cribs with some safe toys(some nice music they like helps too) and close the door(pick everything up before this so you apart the least amount of time) I vacuum the house, then I gate them into the living room and get their room done- no worries. Just work around the problem and don't worry.
-Marissa
We have always done our vacuuming right after we put our boys down for bed. They have been terrified of the vacuum for a while now. We got them a toy vacuum for Christmas, but they are still afraid of the real thing. I've read that it is an age-appropriate fear. You won't be able to explain to your child (or rather, he/she won't understand) until around age 2 that they can't be hurt by the vacuum (or drain, garbage disposal, etc...)
Dana