Baby Sign Language: 24 Essential Signs to Learn

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Behavioral scientist Giselle Baumet shares tips for signing with a baby

Co-authored by Eric McClure

Last Updated: June 12, 2026 Fact Checked

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Basic Signs for Babies

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When to Start Signing

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Expert Tips

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Baby sign language is the process of using simple gestures while saying the words associated with those gestures so that your baby has a way to communicate with you without crying. It’s scientifically proven to reduce crying and speed up language acquisition for the child, so it’s definitely a good idea to do this if you’re so inclined.^{[1]
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Research source} We partnered with a behavioral scientist to find out when to start signing, the best words to start with, and how to sign with your infant in the most efficient way possible.

Baby Sign Language Chart

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An illustrated chart of hand signs used to communicate simple terms to a child.

Behavioral scientist Giselle Baumet says that you can start using signs with your baby at around 12 weeks. Start with a handful of common, everyday words and then continue to build on their vocabulary over time.

Section 1 of 3:

Basic Baby Sign Language Signs

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“Mom” Hold one hand up with your pinkie pointing away from you. Move your thumb to your chin while keeping your fingers spread apart.
- A note on baby sign language: Unlike normal ASL, baby sign language is only for you and your baby. That means you can deviate from any sign, or even create your own words and signs! You also don’t have to learn every single one of these—just use the signs you find most helpful.
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Giselle Baumet is a behavioral scientist who has spent over a decade working on child development, co-regulation, and attachment.
Hold your hand up with your fingers spread apart with your pinkie pointing away from you. Then, move your thumb to your forehead.

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“Yes” Hold your hand up and make a fist. Bob your wrist back and forth while maintaining your fist.
- It helps if you nod your head repeatedly and smile while doing this.
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“No” Hold your hand up and make a fist. Stick your middle finger, index, and thumb up. Then, pinch those three fingers together.
- Shaking your fist back and forth can help with this one.
Put all of your fingers together so your fingertips all touch and move your hand back and forth in front of your mouth.
Cup your hand around your neck and then move it down to your stomach. You can also rub your belly a bit at the end of the motion.
Cup your hand and hold it in front of you like you’re holding an imaginary glass of water. Raise it up to your mouth and tilt it over like you’re taking a drink.
Make two fists, hold them out in front of you, and then spread your fingers out in front of you before making a fist again.
Hold three fingers up next to your face and move your hand to your face so that your index finger touches your chin.
Make two fists with your thumbs up and hold the knuckles together at your chest like you’re fist-bumping yourself. Then, move your hands back and forth across your chest like you’re scrubbing yourself clean.
Make two fists and then stick your index fingers out. Touch your index fingers together repeatedly around chest level.
Hold both hands up with your palms up like you’re making a high-five, just at chest level. Then, rotate your forearms back and forth so your baby can see your palms are empty.
Keep your fingers straight and hold your palm out. Then, move your fingers to your chin.
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“Sorry” Make a fist and hold it over your heart. Then, move your fist in a circular motion over your heart.
- Make a bit of a sad face while doing this one to let them know you’re sorry.
Hold both hands up. Pinch the fingers together on both hands to make a round O shape. Move your hands back and forth so your fingers touch repeatedly.
Hold one hand flat with your palm facing up towards the sky. On your other hand, stick your middle finger out and set your fingertip in the middle of your open palm. Then, move your middle finger back and forth in a swirly
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“Sleep” Hold your hand up in front of your face, let the baby see you closing your eyes, and then lower your hand down into a fist.
- It helps to pause a little bit at the end of this sign.
Hold both hands up in a fist with your pinkies and thumbs extended out on both hands. Rotate your forearms back and forth at the same time.
Hold your nondominant hand flat and facing up around your sternum. Make a thumbs up sign with your other hand and set it on top of your flattened palm. Move your thumbs-up hand up and down repeatedly.
Hold a fist up with your fingers pointed away from you. Extend your thumb, pointer, and pinkie. Then, move your hand back and forth.
Put a flat palm in the middle of your chest and then move it around in a big circle.
Hold both of your hands together with your palms joined. Then, open your palms like you’re holding a book and opening the covers.
Clench both of your hands into fists and stack them on top of one another around your sternum. Stick your bottom hand’s thumb up inside of your upper palm. Then, slowly pull your bottom hand down while leaving your thumb sticking up (yes, like your hand is pooping your finger out).
Hold one hand up with your fingers extended and your thumb pointing up. Keep it still and then run your other hand back and forth along the fingertips of your hand.

Section 2 of 3:

When to Start Baby Sign Language

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Baumet recommends starting no younger than 12 weeks after birth.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Giselle Baumet
Behavioral Scientist and Applied Neuroscience Researcher

Expert Interview} Say the word associated with the sign as you make it, and keep doing it regularly until your baby begins to parrot the sign back when they need something. They may not have the dexterity to pull off each gesture correctly, but you should have a much easier time figuring out what they need.^{[3]
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Section 3 of 3:

Tips for Using Baby Sign Language

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Respond to your baby when they use signs back. Baumet says, “I've experienced babies as young as eight months being able to communicate their basic needs through sign language, and it's pretty fascinating to see." While a typical baby might fuss or cry to express a need, a baby that can use sign language can simply communicate what they need with their hands.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Giselle Baumet
Behavioral Scientist and Applied Neuroscience Researcher

Expert Interview} When that happens, reply to them! You could use another sign, or even just nod, smile and praise them, but let them know you saw what they did and that you like it.^{[5]
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Start with the words you’ll use the most. Baumet recommends commonly used words like “eat, all done, sleepy, happy, more, milk, down, up, [and] diaper."^{[6]
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Expert Source

Giselle Baumet
Behavioral Scientist and Applied Neuroscience Researcher

Expert Interview} That said, it really boils down to whatever language you’re going to be using the most often! Teach those signs first, and then branch out from there.
- Some people recommend starting with objects. This way, you can physically show them the object before signing the word, which may speed up the process when it comes to learning more abstract words.
- According to parents from one study, the most used words and signs are “more,” “all done,” and “please.”^{[7]
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Be consistent and don’t give up on it. Repetition is key for this process. It may take months for your baby to pick up on what you’re doing, but that’s not really their fault—they just came into the world! Give them time. Plus, you’ll eventually sign naturally as you speak and you won’t even notice you’re doing it.
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Say the word at the same time as you make the sign. This is essential. Matching the word with the sign will not only give the sign meaning for the baby, but it will help accelerate language acquisition as they get old enough to speak.^{[8]
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- Never make the sign without saying the word associated with it. This will prevent confusion for your child.
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Introduce no more than three signs a day. This is the consensus regarding the number of words a baby can reasonably begin to learn in a single day. So, start with three signs, master those, and then introduce three more.^{[9]
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