Getting an Early Start on Communication Using Baby Signs

Learning to communicate and connect with others is one of the most important parts of the human experience—and it starts much earlier than many people realize. If you’re wondering how to help your infant “talk” with you before they develop verbal language, baby sign language is a powerful and gentle tool.

Using sign language with babies encourages early communication, strengthens your bond, and can reduce frustration (for both baby and caregiver!). Below, I’ll share:

• A list of essential signs to start with
• Helpful resources to learn basic American Sign Language (ASL)
• Tips for using signs in your daily routine
• Common myths about baby sign language—debunked

What Are the Best First Signs to Teach a Baby?

I recommend beginning with everyday, consistent words—things your baby sees and experiences regularly. These signs are both functional and meaningful, which helps them stick.

Here’s my go-to list of first baby signs:

• Milk
• More
• All Done
• Eat
• Drink
• Sleep
• Tired
• Help
• Water
• Yes
• No
• Wait
• Up
• Down
• Change
• Hurt
• Play
• Book
• Mommy
• Daddy

These signs align with your baby’s basic needs, routines, and emotional expressions, making them incredibly useful for early communication.

How Baby Sign Language Supports Development

Talking to your baby throughout the day—narrating your actions, explaining what’s happening, and naming objects—builds their language foundation. When you pair your words with signs, you give your baby a bridge to understanding and expressing themselves even before they can speak.

For example:

• When offering a bottle or breastfeeding, use the sign for “milk.”
• Ask, “Do you want milk?” while signing milk, and observe their response.
• If they show excitement or lean toward the bottle, you can smile and respond, “Yes, milk!” while signing yes.

You can do the same for signs like more, all done, help, or play—especially during highly motivating moments like snack time, bubble play, or swinging.

Signs to Empower Baby’s Voice

It’s just as important to teach your baby how to say no or indicate discomfort. Babies, like all people, deserve to have autonomy and the ability to express their preferences and boundaries.

Helpful signs for this include:

• All Done
• Stop
• No
• Hurt

These empower babies to communicate what they don’t want, which builds trust and emotional intelligence.

Learn Baby Sign Language Quickly and Easily

Here are some of my favorite accessible resources to help you and your baby start signing together:

• Baby Sign Language Basics by Monta Z. Briant
• Sign, Sing, and Play! by Monta Z. Briant
• My First Signs (Baby Signing Time)

These books and guides are easy to use, visually engaging, and designed specifically for families with young children.

Myth-Busting: Won’t Sign Language Delay Speech?

Nope! That’s a common misconception. In fact, research shows that using signs with babies can:

• Encourage earlier verbal communication
• Improve vocabulary development
• Strengthen parent-child interaction

Signs enhance language learning—they don’t replace it. Most babies who use signs begin speaking at a typical or even earlier age than their peers.

Final Thoughts

Using baby sign language is a beautiful way to connect with your child, support their development, and help them feel seen, heard, and understood—even before they speak their first word.

Start small. Be consistent. And celebrate every new sign your baby learns—it’s their voice in motion.