Evidence-based, parent-tested. References guidelines from the AAP, CDC, and WHO.
Informational only, not medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician about your baby's specific needs.
Babies understand language long before they can speak it. Between 6 and 12 months, your baby knows what “milk,” “more,” and “all done” mean — they just can’t say the words yet. Baby sign language bridges that gap. By giving babies a way to communicate with their hands, signing reduces frustration, supports early language, and gives you a window into your baby’s mind months before first words.
This guide covers when to start, how to teach signs, and 20 easy first signs to learn together.
📌 Key Takeaway: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months is recommended for optimal infant health. This guide gives you evidence-based, practical guidance you can apply today. For a related deep dive, see our guide on baby food allergies signs prevention.
Does Baby Sign Language Help or Hurt Speech?
This is the most common question parents ask. Decades of research is reassuring:
- Signing does NOT delay speech. Multiple studies show no negative effect on verbal language.
- Some studies show modest short-term benefits, especially in vocabulary and parent-child engagement.
- The biggest documented benefit is reduced frustration for both baby and parents.
Signing is a tool, not a magic accelerator. Used naturally alongside speech, it is a clear net positive.
When to Start
The sweet spot is around 6 to 9 months. By then, your baby:
- Has the motor coordination to attempt simple signs
- Can pay attention to your hands during interaction
- Is starting to understand cause-and-effect
Some families start earlier (4 months), and some don’t get a returned sign back until 10–12 months. Both are normal. The goal is exposure — your baby will sign back when they are ready.
How to Teach Signs
The basic recipe is simple:
- Pick 3–5 signs to start — usually high-motivation words like “milk,” “more,” “all done”
- Pair the sign with the spoken word every time you say it
- Sign in context — at meals, at bath time, during nappy changes
- Use the sign while making eye contact
- Be consistent — every adult who interacts with baby uses the same signs
- Wait 2–8 weeks for your baby to sign back
- Celebrate any approximation — early signs are often messy
Tips for Success
- Keep your hands in baby’s line of sight
- Repeat the sign multiple times in one interaction
- Don’t force baby’s hands — model only
- Don’t sign without speaking — the goal is bilingual exposure
- Follow your baby’s interest — sign whatever they’re curious about
20 Easy First Signs
Below are 20 of the most useful starter signs, taken from American Sign Language (ASL). For visual demonstrations, search any sign at Lifeprint or ASL Pro.
Mealtime Signs (Start Here)
- Milk — open and close fist (like milking a cow)
- More — fingertips of both hands tap together
- All done / Finished — both hands flip palms-up
- Eat — fingertips tap to mouth
- Water — W-hand taps near mouth
- Hungry — C-hand drags down chest
Daily Routine Signs
- Sleep — open hand passes down face, fingers closing
- Bath — fists rub up and down chest
- Diaper — index and middle fingers tap thumbs at hips
- Brush teeth — index finger mimics toothbrush motion
People & Pets
- Mom / Mama — thumb taps chin
- Dad / Daddy — thumb taps forehead
- Baby — arms cradle as if rocking
- Dog — slap thigh, snap fingers
- Cat — pinch whiskers near cheek
Social & Emotion Signs
- Please — flat hand circles on chest
- Thank you — flat hand from chin moves outward
- Hurt / Pain — index fingers tap toward each other
- Help — fist on flat palm, lifted up
- Love — both arms cross over chest
A 4-Week Sample Plan
| Week | Focus | What to Sign |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eat & drink | milk, eat, water |
| 2 | Add motivation | more, all done |
| 3 | Add daily routines | sleep, diaper, bath |
| 4 | Add people | mom, dad, baby, dog |
After week 4, add 1–2 new signs per week as you spot interests.
What to Expect
- Weeks 1–4: You sign, baby watches. No return signs yet.
- Weeks 4–10: Baby starts attempting signs. Often messy versions.
- 3–6 months in: 5–15 active signs in baby’s repertoire
- By 18 months: Most babies are talking and signs naturally fade
The “baby sign vocabulary” peaks around 12–16 months, then drops as spoken words take over. This is the goal.
Common Mistakes
- Trying to teach 20 signs at once — start with 3
- Stopping when baby doesn’t sign back — they need weeks of input first
- Signing without speaking — defeats the purpose of dual-language exposure
- Inconsistency between caregivers — use the same sign for the same thing
- Quitting once baby starts talking — keep signing high-utility words like “all done” through age 2+
Should I Use ASL or Made-Up Signs?
ASL is recommended over invented signs because:
- It’s a real, complete language used by the Deaf community
- Standardized signs are easier for caregivers to learn
- Resources are widely available
- It opens the possibility of learning more ASL later
That said, baby sign language is a learning tool, not formal ASL fluency. Don’t stress about perfect form.
How Signing Connects to Speech and Cognition
Signing builds the same skills that support spoken language:
- Joint attention — looking at the same thing as your caregiver
- Symbolic thinking — understanding that a hand shape stands for an object
- Turn-taking — the back-and-forth of communication
- Vocabulary — every signed word is also heard
For a broader look at how language develops, see our baby language development timeline and first words timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will baby sign language make my baby lazy about talking?
No. Research consistently shows signing does not delay speech. In fact, signing tends to increase the parent-baby communication that supports talking.
What if my baby never signs back?
Some babies skip signing and go straight to talking. If your baby is meeting other communication milestones (pointing, eye contact, babbling), no signing is fine. Keep modeling — they may surprise you.
Can I do baby sign language if I am not fluent in ASL?
Absolutely. You only need to know the signs you teach — usually 10–30 high-utility ones. Free resources online cover all of them.
Is baby sign language different from ASL?
Yes. Baby sign uses ASL vocabulary but is not the same as fluent ASL, which has its own grammar and structure. Think of it as borrowing words.
When should we stop signing?
Most families taper off naturally between 18 and 30 months as spoken language takes over. Some keep useful signs (like “all done” or “more”) longer because they work well in noisy environments.
💡 Related Resources: Expecting? Visit our sister site pregnancy.chparenting.com for week-by-week pregnancy guides, prenatal nutrition, and labor preparation.
References
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2024). Communication Milestones. ASHA.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (2024). Communication and Your 8 to 12 Month Old. HealthyChildren.org.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Important Milestones: Your Baby By Nine Months. CDC.
- Mayo Clinic. (2024). Language Development: Speech Milestones for Babies. Mayo Clinic.
Written by
Vega LinFounder & Editor — Mother of 2 (Taiwan)
Vega writes Baby Care Guide from the intersection of evidence-based research (AAP, CDC, WHO) and real parenting experience. Completing her Master's in Digital Innovation at Tunghai University. Read more →
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