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Baby Sign Language: How to Start & 10 Essential Signs
TinyYears··4 min read
Before babies can talk, they have things to say. Baby sign language bridges that gap — giving babies a way to communicate their needs months before they can form words. The result? Less frustration, fewer tears, and a genuinely astonishing window into what your baby is thinking.
Does baby sign language delay speech?
This is the most common concern — and the evidence is clear: No. Multiple studies show that babies who are taught signs alongside speech:
- Reach spoken language milestones at the same time or earlier
- Have larger spoken vocabularies at 2 and 3 years
- Show stronger early literacy skills
The key is always signing and speaking simultaneously — you're adding a communication channel, not replacing speech.
When can you start?
You can introduce signs from birth, though babies usually begin to produce signs themselves around 6–9 months when motor skills are sufficiently developed. Some babies sign as early as 5–6 months; others don't produce signs until close to a year.
Don't be disheartened if baby isn't signing back for weeks or months — they are absolutely absorbing and understanding the signs even if they can't yet reproduce them.
How to introduce signs
The golden rules:
- Always say the word as you make the sign
- Use signs in context — sign "milk" at feeding time, sign "bath" when running the bath
- Be consistent — the same sign, every time
- Make it fun — sign during eye contact and natural interaction, not as a drill
- Don't test — don't hold back the object until baby signs for it
Start with 5–6 high-priority signs (see below). Introduce one or two at a time rather than overwhelming baby (or yourself).
10 essential first signs
These are the most useful signs to start with, based on frequency of use and importance to babies:
1. More
How: Bring fingertips of both hands together repeatedly, like pressing two bunches of fingers together. Use it: At mealtimes, during play, any time baby wants more of something.
2. Milk / Feed
How: Open and close your fist repeatedly, like milking a cow. Use it: Before and during feeds.
3. All done / Finished
How: Hold both hands up, palms facing you, then twist outward. Use it: At end of meals, end of play activities, end of bath.
4. Eat / Food
How: Bring four fingers and thumb together and tap them to your lips. Use it: At mealtimes or when asking if baby is hungry.
5. Water / Drink
How: Make a "W" shape with three fingers and tap chin. Use it: When offering water, especially during weaning.
6. Sleep
How: Hand to cheek, tilt head as if sleeping. Use it: At sleep and nap times.
7. Change (nappy)
How: Hold fists together, thumbs up, and rotate them. Use it: Before and during nappy changes.
8. Mummy
How: Five fingers fanned out, tap the thumb side to your chin. Use it: When pointing to or talking about mum.
9. Daddy
How: Five fingers fanned out, tap the thumb side to your forehead. Use it: When pointing to or talking about dad.
10. Help
How: Thumbs up on one hand, supported by flat palm of other hand, raise them both together. Use it: Whenever baby needs assistance — also great for toddler frustration management.
The first sign moment
There will be a moment — usually around 7–9 months — when your baby makes a sign intentionally for the first time. It's genuinely magical. Many parents describe it as the first real "conversation." Celebrate it enthusiastically!
Building your vocabulary over time
Once baby has a few signs and you're both confident, gradually add more. Useful next-stage signs include:
- Hot / Cold
- Bird, Dog, Cat (great for pointing during walks)
- Book
- Ball
- Please / Thank you (great for social development)
- Sorry
- Happy / Sad
Makaton and UK signing systems
In the UK, the most widely used structured system is Makaton, which uses signs and symbols alongside speech. Many children's TV programmes (Mr. Tumble / Something Special) use Makaton — so your baby may already be exposed to it.
TinyYears' flexible milestone tracking lets you log the date of baby's first sign — a wonderful milestone to capture and remember.
Capture your baby's milestones
Use the TinyYears app to journal every precious moment — photos, voice notes, videos and more.
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