11 Basic Baby Sign Language Words to Teach Your Baby First

Did you know that babies typically begin talking around 13 to 18 months old? That may seem like a long time, but if you're eager to begin communication sooner, you're in luck because babies as young as 6 months can begin to understand baby sign language.  Baby sign language borrows certain words from American Sign Language (ASL) to help parents and babies communicate specific needs such as hunger or sleepiness. Babies are not learning ASL as a full, rich language, but they are learning how to use key ASL signs to let you know their immediate needs and wants.  Introduce your baby to signing with these simple sign language symbols for common words. Go ahead: Give baby something to talk about!

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Photo: Peter Ardito
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Mommy

baby sign language mommy
Peter Ardito

How to sign it: Spread out your fingers on one hand, then touch the thumb of that hand to the side of your chin several times.

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Daddy

baby sign language daddy
Peter Ardito

How to sign it: Spread out your fingers on one hand, then touch the thumb of that hand to the side of your forehead several times.

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Again

baby sign language again
Peter Ardito

How to sign it: Open the palm of one hand and curve the fingers of the other. Starting with your hands apart, bring your finger tips across your body and tap open hand, then repeat.

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Eat

baby sign language eat
Peter Ardito

How to sign it: Squeeze the tips of your fingers together to form a point, and place that hand in front of pursed lips. Bring your hand away from your mouth, then back to it.

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More

baby sign language more
Peter Ardito

How to sign it: Squeeze together the tips of your fingers on each hand to form two points. Touch the tips of each point together, then separate and repeat a few times.

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Sleep

baby sign language sleep
Peter Ardito

How to sign it: Place one hand in front of your face, palm facing toward you. Close your hand to a fist and drop in to your chin, closing your eyes. Drag that fist downward, eyes still closed.

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Cold

baby sign language cold
Peter Ardito

How to sign it: With your shoulders slightly raised, clench both hands in front of your body, by your shoulders. (You can shiver a little bit, too, for effect.)

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Milk

baby sign language milk
Peter Ardito

How to sign it: Close your fingers into a fist with one hand and hold it in front of your chest like you're holding a bottle.

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Bath

baby sign language bath
Peter Ardito

How to sign it: Close your hands and hold them in front of your chest. Move them up and down in alternating directions as if you're scrubbing your body.

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Bye-Bye

baby sign language bye
Peter Ardito

How to sign it: With fingers bent, wave your open palm from side to side next to your shoulder.

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Cat

baby sign language cat
Peter Ardito

How to sign it: Pinch together your thumb and pointer fingers, splaying out the other fingers on your hand. Drag that hand up and away from your face a few inches, as if you were tracing a cat's whiskers.

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Your Video Guide to Starter Signs

Updated by Dean Schoeppner
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