Hoover problems

[Irons]

My daughter (she'll be 1 at the end of June), has suddenly decided she is petrified of the hoover!

I've always used it in front of her but on the last two occassions she just starts crying hysterically and wants to get as far away as possible (she's not usually a cry baby and is never afraid of anything). So what's up with her?

Today I switched it off and let her play with it pressing buttons etc. Then I held her and we hoovered together and made silly car noises. But she's still not convinced. Anyone else had this problem?

I'm hoping she'll get over it soon.

It's not uncommon, just bear with her (try to do the hoovering when she's not around), and she'll grow out of it.

Dd1 was like this. She's a sweet, sensitive soul, but she's ok with the Hoover now (2.9). Dd2 couldn't give a monkeys, and follows it round trying to stand on it! All different...

Oh I know this well! My DD was fine with the hoover until about 8 or 9 months when she became absolutely terrified of it. She is 2 now and will tolerate me hoovering, but only if I pretend it is attacking me

I think there are elements of the sound that children can hear and we can't. I've cared for several children who feel like this about hoovers, food mixers, hand dryers, etc.

Getting the child to use the appliance can be helpful but only if it doesn't distress them. Some children are extra sensitive to this sort of sound and it really can cause them pain. If that is the case you'd be better just letting them be in a different room because repeated exposure will just raise their anxiety.

Lovely, thank you for the replies. I was worried I had done something to cause her to become so afraid of the hoover.

Perhaps I'll hoover when my mum comes round and she can take DD out for a walk in the garden. Or even better, I get mum to hoover and I go for the walk!!