Baby Sign Language: A Simple Way to Support Infant Language Development
This blog post was written by the Infant Insights SLP specializing in infant feeding.
If you’ve ever wished your baby could just tell you what they need (before the tears) you’re not alone. The good news? Baby sign language can help bridge the communication gap during those early months. As a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist (and a parent myself), I love sharing simple, real-life ways to support infant language development, and signing is one of my go-to tools.
Let’s break it down so you can start using baby signs in your everyday routine—no experience required!
What is Baby Sign Language?
Baby sign language is a simplified version of sign language that’s adapted for babies and toddlers. It gives them a way to express their needs, wants, and thoughts before their speech skills are fully developed.
And here’s something really cool: research shows that the more gestures babies use in their early communication, the larger their spoken vocabulary tends to be by the time they reach preschool. That’s a big win for language development.
Baby sign language is not about replacing spoken words - it’s about enhancing communication and reducing frustration (for everyone!).
When Can You Start?
You can begin showing your baby signs as early as 6 months, or whenever they start showing signs of understanding and interacting more with the world around them (like looking where you point, or beginning to copy your movements or expressions). That said, every baby is different. Some might start signing back around 8 to 10 months, and others may take a little longer. Keep it fun, and don’t worry if they don’t pick it up right away.
Why Use Baby Signs?
There are so many great reasons to give baby sign language a try:
- It helps reduce frustration by giving your baby a way to express themselves before they can talk.
- It boosts infant language development by encouraging early communication skills.
- It creates stronger bonds and more intentional interaction between you and your baby.
- It builds confidence in both babies and parents.
Easy Signs to Start With
You don’t need to learn a whole dictionary of signs to get started. In fact, with most of the babies I see in speech therapy, we rarely move beyond the basics before they start using words!
Here are a few go-to signs that are easy to teach and super useful for daily routines: (might want to put some graphics here, i like the ones from babysignlanguage.com)
- Milk – Open and close your fist (like milking a cow).
Source: babysignlanguage.com
- More – Tap your fingertips together from both hands.
Source: babysignlanguage.com
- All done – Rotate your hands outward (like brushing something away).
Source: babysignlanguage.com
- Eat – Tap your fingers to your mouth.
Source: babysignlanguage.com
- Sleep – Place your hand over your cheek like a pillow.
Source: babysignlanguage.com
Start by saying the word and doing the action. For example, say “milk” while signing and offering a bottle or breastfeeding. Your infant will start to associate the sign, the word, and the action together over time—hello, infant language development! Learn more about appropriate language development & more inside out Mastering Language: Birth & Beyond course.
Tips for Teaching Signs
Here are a few easy ways to weave signing into your daily rhythm:
- Repetition is key – Use the same sign consistently every time you say the word.
- Keep it fun – Use songs, books, and games to introduce signs in a playful way.
- Be patient – Some babies may take weeks to start signing back, and that’s totally normal.
- Celebrate the small wins – Even if the sign isn’t perfect, your baby is communicating!
And remember, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s connection.
Common Questions Parents Ask
Will signing delay my baby’s speech?
Nope! This is a big myth. In fact, using signs has been shown to support and even accelerate infant language development. Signing helps your baby understand the power of communication, which builds a strong foundation for speech.
How many signs should I teach at once?
Start with just a few (2–3 is great) and add more as your baby starts responding. Follow your baby’s interests—if they’re obsessed with dogs, teach the sign for “dog”! Personalizing signs keeps your baby motivated!
What if my baby doesn’t sign back?
Keep modeling! Every infant develops at their own pace. Even if they don’t sign back, they’re still learning through observation, which is a big part of infant language development.
Signing in Real Life
The beauty of baby sign language is that you can use it anywhere—mealtimes, diaper changes, story time, or just hanging out. The more natural and relaxed you are about it, the more your infant will tune in and start to imitate you.
Want More Support?
If you’re curious about how to use baby sign language as part of your child’s communication journey, our team at Infant Insights is here to help. Whether you’re just starting out or wondering if your baby’s infant language development is on track, we offer personalized guidance, expert advice, and real-life strategies that work for your family. Join our free What to Expect: Birth & Beyond course to understand your baby's language development more.
Sources:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02330.x
