Baby sign language-advice please!

I started signing with my second son when he was 6 months old. I felt pretty stupid at first, because he paid no attention to me. LOL. But, I kept doing a handful of signs, when he was in the high chair and at diaper changes. By about 8 months, he started to watch me more carefully and I could see him watch my hands, sometimes. Still, I felt silly, but kept it up. Around 9 months, I could tell that he understood some of the signs. I would sign "milk" and he would get excited. I really only used a handful of signs like, "milk", "more", "eat", "drink", "no", "yes", "potty" (for diaper changes), "up", "nap", "friend" (lovey), etc. He understood the signs, and started to copy me. After I signed and encouraged him, he'd make the sign back. But it wasn't until he was 10 and a half months old that he initiated his first sign to communicate. I had just taken him out of the bath and placed him on the changing pad. I dried him off and then applied lotion to his arms, legs and back. When I finished rubbing the lotion into his back and I reached for the diaper, he scrambled to sit up, looked at me and tapped his bunched up finger tips together to sign, "more"! I laughed so hard and asked if he wanted more lotion. He nodded yes and then lied right down on his tummy! It was so precious! The signing was so useful for many months. Even after he had a decent vocabulary, he would sometimes still sign AND say the word, for emphasis, if he really wanted something (like, "pleeeeeease" or "no!" or "cookie"). My son was talking in 3-4 word sentences by 18 months, which is pretty good for a boy. I can't say for certain that the signing helped him speak early, but it definitely helped him not be as frustrated. I highly recommend it to moms of babies. We used the Signing Time DVDs, because I could never follow the little black arrows in the signing books! My kids continued to LOVE the DVDs well into preschoool age and enjoy signing for fun, even though none of us became fluent or anything.

"Only a life lived for others, is the life worthwhile" - Albert Einstein

It's hard when they get to the age of frustration because of lack of communication. Baby sign language can take months even under the most consistent circumstances. Be patient and keep at it. My son never really took to sign language, but I think it helped him to speak earlier and understand what I was asking/telling him. Older babies tend to get it faster than younger ones, but each child is different.

Keep at it.. it probably feels like you aren't getting anywhere, but you are.
We only did a few signs at first (more, please, food, drink, all done). We did those for months and one day, he signed "more." It took probably 2 months before we were signing on a regular basis. Once the first sign happened and I understood, he was so proud and not frustrated. Then he would say the word and sign at the same time. It took a few months to go from speaking really well with signs to eliminating the sign language. Sometimes, when we are needing to be quiet (library or in public), I will repremand him in sign. He gets it and doesn't have to be embarrassed in front of others.

We started using sign language with our oldest son when he was 6 months old. He really was not interested in learning at first...but then one day he began telling me (in sign language) what he wanted. I at first did not think it was worth teaching (because he would not use it)...until I realized that my son had caught on and began to communicate with me in sign language. What I can say...is be patient because each child learns at a different pace. Good luck!

LisaMommy is a 38 year old discussion leader for arizonamoms.com from the Paradise Valley/Scottsdale area. Her two boys are ages 7 months and 3 years old.

It may sem hard to you now but think of him and the gift your giving him ( and Yourself ). Working with my own daughter and other families I can tell you that most "toddler tatrums" come from the frustration of knowing what they want and not being able to communicate it properly. Start with a few signs and keep adding as he catches on, even after he starts speaking. Give him feeling signs and don't be afraid to make up some special signs just for you. I still use those to give my 12yro messages from across the room without embarassment. Anything that can give your child some feeling of control in this out of control world is a good thing.

have a great day!

We've really enjoyed learning to sign! I think it was a couple of months before our son started signing and it was before he was one. He's almost four and still enjoys Singing Time DVDs a lot. Signing animals and colors are his favorite but he also uses activity signs, toys, and things around the house.

Now that he's almost four, he's asking me to sign a lot of words I don't know so I bought the book "Teach Your Tot to Sign: A Parent's Guide to Sign Language" publihsed by Gallaudet University Press.

And I love the fact that I can sign "I love you," or "sit" or "time to go" whenever we're out, from across a room or anywhere he can see me.

Patricia is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com. She and her husband live in Phoenix and are raising a 4-year-old son they adopted as an infant.

I had a similar experience. I started signing with my daughter around 10 months. I didn't think she was ever going to get it! Then, one day, she just started signing like crazy! It was really fun to understand her and her grandparents were amazed! Keep at it, you never know when it will just "click".

Hobbymommy, 38, is a discussion leader from Mesa. She is a happy stay-at-home mommy to a 3-year-old daughter and a 2-year-old son.

Thank you so much everyone for your comments. I am not getting discouraged yet (way too early I realize), just wanted to see some other mom's reactions.
I'm excited for that moment that it finally does 'click'. :)
I feel kinda like a goof when I'm in public, but that's all a part of being a parent, right. :)
Thank you again!