What Is Baby Signing — And When Should You Start?

Baby signing is a gentle, practical way to help your baby communicate before they can talk. It uses simple hand gestures alongside spoken words to give little ones a head start in expressing their needs — often well before their first words arrive.

It’s not about replacing speech. In fact, using signs can actually help babies build language and understand the rhythm of conversation from an earlier age.

When to Start

Most parents begin introducing signs somewhere between 4 and 6 months. That might sound early, but babies are already watching and learning long before they can respond. Many little ones start signing back around 7 or 8 months, sometimes sooner.

Why Try It?

• It can reduce frustration (for both of you!)

• It gives your baby a way to feel understood

• It supports early language development

• And it feels like a bit of magic when they sign back for the first time

Great First Signs

You don’t need to learn loads of gestures to get started — just one or two can make a difference. Some popular first signs include:

• Milk

• More

• All done

• Sleep

• Cuddle

The most important thing is to pair the sign with the word, repeat it consistently, and keep it playful. Babies learn by watching — and they love your face and hands more than anything else in the world.