Baby sign language: 25 first signs
This page is held back while we check its sources. It is not in the site's lists and search engines are asked to skip it.
Baby sign usually borrows single signs from American Sign Language (ASL), like MILK, MORE and ALL DONE, used alongside spoken words. That's not the same as learning ASL: the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders calls ASL “a complete, natural language” with its own grammar, separate from English.
Checked October 29, 2026.
Is baby sign language the same as ASL?
No. A family that signs MILK and MORE with a hearing baby is using a few ASL words, the way a toddler who says “gracias” is using a Spanish word. ASL itself, NIDCD says, is a complete language with grammar that differs from English, and there is no universal sign language: British Sign Language, for example, is a different language. If you'd like to learn more ASL, learn it from Deaf teachers and ASL classes.
How do I teach my baby a sign?
- Say the word every time you make the sign, so the sign goes with the word, never instead of it.
- Sign where your baby can see your hands, at the moment it matters: MILK as you get the bottle, MORE as you offer more food.
- Start with two or three signs and add more slowly.
- Accept their version. A baby's sign is often a rough copy, just as their first words are.
25 first signs
Each drawing shows where the hand goes (the dot) and which way it moves (the arrow); the words describe the hand shape. Descriptions follow ASL University (Lifeprint.com); watch its videos to see each sign made.
25 first signs (American Sign Language) parent.peabody.kids/talk/sign-language
Milk
Make a loose C shape with one hand, then close it into a fist. Do it twice, like squeezing.
See it signedMore
Bunch the fingertips of each hand against the thumb, then bring the two hands together so the fingertips meet.
See it signedAll done
Hold both open hands up in front of you, fingers up and palms facing you. Twist them quickly so the palms turn outward.
See it signedEat
Bunch your fingertips against your thumb and bring them to your closed mouth, as if putting in a bite of food.
See it signedDrink
Curve one hand into a C, as if holding a cup, and tip it to your mouth in a short arc.
See it signedThank you
Start with the fingertips of a flat hand near your mouth, then move the hand forward and a little down toward the person.
See it signedHelp
Make a fist with the thumb up and rest it on the flat palm of your other hand. Lift both hands together.
See it signedBaby
Lay one arm in the other as if you're holding a baby, and rock them gently side to side.
See it signedSleep
Hold an open hand in front of your face, palm toward you. Draw it down toward your chin while the fingers close to meet the thumb.
See it signedBook
Put your flat hands together, palm to palm, then open them like a book. Do it twice.
See it signedCat
Hold your thumb and first finger, a little apart, just beside the bottom of your nose. Move them out to the side as they pinch together, like a whisker.
See it signedHot
Curve your fingers like a claw in front of your mouth, then move the hand quickly outward and down.
See it signedPlay
Make a Y with each hand (thumb and little finger out, the other fingers folded down) and shake both hands.
See it signedBird
Hold your thumb and first finger at the side of your mouth and open and close them twice, like a beak.
See it signedFish
Hold one flat hand sideways and wave it back and forth as it moves forward a few inches, like a fish swimming.
See it signedCar
Hold both fists up as if on a small steering wheel and turn it a little from side to side.
See it signed
Sources
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIH): American Sign Language (updated 29 Oct 2021) (checked October 29, 2026)
- ASL University (Lifeprint.com), William G. Vicars, Ed.D.: sign descriptions (checked October 29, 2026)