My 9 month old is scared of the vacuum..

Keri - posted on 03/19/2009

Get her a toy vacuum. My son did the same thing every time I tried to vacuum. He got a toy one for Christmas when he was about 21 months old and then he didn't mind the vacuum. He would vacuum right along side me and he was no longer scared of it. I will warn you that it makes vacuuming really hard. My sons both liked to vacuum the same square inch of carpet I was trying to clean.

Joy - posted on 03/18/2009

i used to let my kids play with it and take them for rides on in around the house, started with it being off and slowly when it was on. and i also used to leave the vacum going under there cots when they were little to get used to the noise, [ something my mum told me to do so they would get used to the nosie] also let them vacum, or buy them a toy vacum so they can follow you around the house .

hope this helps

Heather - posted on 03/18/2009

My son was afraid for a bit, and I'd hold him while someone else vacuumed. It worked for him. He now is 18 months and tries to vacuum by himself and when I'm doing it he tries to climb on it and thinks it's funny to stand infront of it, he just laughs when he does it. Vacuuming has become a game in our house.

Jennifer - posted on 03/18/2009

let her vacuum...sometimes that helps...my daughter was afraid of it too and she has a sensory disorder.  but she is now 5 and she likes the vacuum as long as she is the one doing the vacuuming.

Kylie - posted on 03/18/2009

Hey, my 2 year old baby girl just got over her fears of the dreaded vacuum cleaner. At first i tried to get her to come near it when it was off and she screamed blue murder too, but eventually with lots of hugs from mum and dad we got her near enought o touch it, and took it slowly from there. And getting her to give it a hug as said above is a good idea, but if none of these work she will eventually outgrow it. Good luck, let us no how you get on. xx

Ashley - posted on 03/18/2009

try if you can, to show her its okay. if that doesnt work maybe just put her in a pack n play or crib with a toy in another room to maybe distract her while you do it. my daughter doesnt like it either but i understand having to get house work done, so sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

Corrine - posted on 03/18/2009

i agree with Bobbi, my son is 15 months and still scared of it. he is fine when it is off, but once he sees me plug it in he runs to the furthest corner of the house and cries. i try to hold him while i vacuum but he has just gotten too heavy. he is scared of the blow dryer too!

Kimberly - posted on 03/18/2009

my little one was scared of the vaccum also but when she was able to walk i showed her what it did and how to help me. now she loves to get it out and hold the cord and walk behind me. Also the sitting on the couch and assuring them that is ok works well.

Rachael - posted on 03/18/2009

Try to get her to give it a hug! It sounds wierd but it works once she see it did not hurt her once it's on it will be less scary.

Heather - posted on 03/18/2009

Very normal for some little ones to be scared of loud noises, vacuums in paticular. My youngest was scared of them as well and what I found to help him get passed it is try to vacuum more often and hold her when you are doing it. It will let her know that its ok and you are there to protect her and if you vacuum more often it will get her use to hearing it on a regular basis and maybe it won't bother her as bad. good luck

Bobbi - posted on 03/18/2009

My daughter just turned 2 and is still scared of the vacuum! She used to cry but I would put her up on the couch and assure her that it was OK and now she runs and sits up on the couch and plays until I am done. When I'm done I let her "help me" wind up the cord so she can actually be close to the vacuum and realize it isn't so scary when it's off. I'm not sure if there's any real trick for this its just something she has to get used to!?