My DD can't stand the hoover, she freaks even at the sight of it. I still hoover when i have to hoover but i do it with a big silly grin on my face and dance about to try to cheer her up. It probably sounds harsh to some but i see little point in over-comforting for her fear of something which isn't fearful - kwim? I'm hoping by my happy reaction to the hoover she will eventually get that it's noisy but harmless.

Sarah LMAO! at Zander! That is too cute! "You alright mummy?" LOL.

I think a lot of babies dislike loud noises because it means they can't hear you and you can't hear them and humans rely strongly on verbal communication of danger. So it probably feels dangerous if they can't hear you as well or think you can't hear them.

XP totally terrified DD yesterday. He put the lego tub, full of lego, over his head and as he lifted it off of course all the lego flowed out. She freaked RIGHT out a the sight and sound of all tha lego pouring onto my laminate floors. She was back in love with him 5 minutes later. If your DP was shouting at your DS that's obviously a cause for concern, but if he just happens to have a booming voice then DS will get used to it and realise from the smiles and cuddles that daddy isn't mad or mean, just a bit loud DD used to dislike her gran's loud and very glaswegian voice but now she is used to it and loves her gran. As babies grow they start to understand more what is happening around them and as the unknowns become knowns they are less afraid.

By cuddling him i reckon you're doing the best possible thing. I think the gasping you describe was just sobbing. When DD has been very upset the sobbing can last 5 or 10 minutes, sometimes even longer, after the crying stops - i remember the effect myself when i was tiny. It's hard to hear but it's not harmful.

Bx