Since Vera was three months old, I have been teaching her the sign for “milk.” In the last couple of months, I have also introduced “more,” “water,” “kitty,” and “bird.”* (The next sign I plan on introducing is “all done.”) I think the first time Vera signed “milk” was when she was 5 months old, but it wasn’t really consistent at that point.
Yesterday we were out shopping and I knew it was getting time to feed Vera. It had been over three hours since she last nursed, and I was worried she was going to start melting down. We were nearing the end of the store, and she started signing “milk” to me! I was so proud of her for telling me what she wanted without crying! Babies cry to communicate their needs, so if you give them another way to communicate their needs (i.e., signs), they can do that instead of cry.
I have found many helpful resources on baby signing online (like Signing Baby), but here is one blog post that sums things up nicely! Baby Sign: Benefits and How-to
*I am teaching Vera the real ASL signs, even though some parents choose to teach simplified “baby” signs. I’m doing this for the same reason I say “water” to Vera instead of “wahwah”!
Have you taught your baby any signs?
