Sign Language for Babies vs. Speech Milestones: What's Normal, What's Not
Your baby points to the cup, makes a sound and reaches for it, but doesn’t say “water”. Is that a problem?
Not necessarily. Babies communicate long before they can speak, and gestures or simple signs can give them another way to express what they want. Sign language for babies is normal, but signing should not make parents overlook speech, understanding, hearing or social-communication milestones.
As a Consultant Pediatric Neurologist who assesses developmental and speech delay in children across Dubai, Dr Arif Khan hears a version of this question from parents at almost every well-baby consultation.
This guide walks through what sign is language, how it lines up against typical speech milestones, and most importantly, how to tell what’s normal from what needs a professional look.
Sign language for babies vs. speech milestones: What is the difference?
developing communication through sounds, words, understanding and interaction.
The first three years are an especially important period for speech and language development because the developing brain is highly responsive to language exposure.
So if your baby points towards a cup, looks at you and makes a sound when they want a drink, that is meaningful communication, even if they cannot say “water”.
A quick comparison
Sign language for babies | Speech and language development |
Uses hand movements or gestures | Uses sounds, words and eventually phrases |
Can help express needs before speech develops | Builds spoken communication over time |
May support communication and reduce frustration | Reflects expressive and receptive language development |
Can be introduced alongside talking | Develops through listening, interaction and practice |
Does not replace spoken-language exposure | Requires regular opportunities to hear and use language |
Particularly useful when a child cannot yet express a need verbally | Should be monitored alongside gestures, understanding and social communication |
The goal is therefore not to choose sign language or speech. It is to create a rich communication environment where your baby can use every appropriate tool available.
When to start early sign language for babies
You can introduce simple signs during the first year when your baby is becoming more attentive to gestures, faces, sounds and everyday routines. You don’t need a formal start date, look for these readiness signs instead:
- Sits with support, freeing both hands to gesture
- Holds eye contact and watches your face and hands closely
- Reaches or points towards things they want
- Responds when you say their name
The key is repetition.
Say the word and make the sign at the same time. For example, say “milk” while using the sign for milk, then give your baby the milk.
This helps your child connect the gesture, spoken word, object and experience rather than learning the hand movement in isolation.
What are the benefits of sign language for babies?
The benefits of sign language for babies may include giving pre-verbal children another way to express needs, participate in routines and communicate with caregivers.
Potential benefits include:
- Giving your baby another way to request something
- Encouraging intentional communication
- Supporting parent-child interaction
- Helping parents recognise what their child is trying to communicate
- Make your routines more interactive
- Giving children opportunities to imitate gestures
- Supporting communication while spoken vocabulary is still developing
Simple sign language for babies: 7 starter signs to try
If you’re beginning sign language for babies, start with a few practical signs your child encounters every day.
Keep your list of simple sign language for babies short at first, five to seven signs is plenty and make sure everyone caring for your baby uses the same gesture consistently.
7 basic sign language for babies to start with:
Milk in sign language for babies
Use the sign consistently around breastfeeding or bottle feeding. Say “milk” as you make the sign.
The objective is not to test your baby. You are creating an association between the word, gesture and feeding routine.
Eat in sign language for babies
Use the sign for eat shortly before giving food and while your baby is eating. You can also say, “Do you want to eat?”
Water in sign language for babies
Use the sign whenever you offer water. Keep saying the word aloud as you sign.
All done in sign language for babies
Use the all done sign at the end of meals, play sessions or another activity. This can help your child begin to understand that an activity has finished.
Hungry in sign language for babies
You can pair the sign for hungry with spoken language before meals. Watch your baby’s other cues as well, signing should support your understanding of your child rather than become the only signal you rely on.
Help in sign language for babies
Teaching help can eventually give a child another way to request assistance. Use it naturally when your child needs help opening something, reaching an object or completing an activity.
I love you in sign language for babies
“I love you” can be a lovely social gesture, but it is different from functional signs such as milk or eat. Use it naturally during cuddles, greetings and other moments of connection rather than expecting your baby to reproduce it.
How to say please in sign language for babies
You can introduce please as part of everyday interaction, but don’t make politeness signs a test your baby has to pass before receiving something they need. Communication comes first; manners develop with time.
Did you know? Pointing is more than a gesture, it is an important early form of communication. Around the end of the first year, babies may point, wave, show or give objects to share attention or communicate what they want.
Speech milestones by age: What's typical?
Speech develops at different rates, but milestones help you recognise whether your child’s communication is broadly progressing and when professional advice may be appropriate.
Use milestones as a guide rather than a pass-or-fail examination:
Age | Communication milestones to watch |
7–9 months | Babbles long strings of sounds, responds to name and begins using gestures |
10–12 months | Points, waves, shows/gives objects and may say a few familiar words |
13–18 months | Understands simple directions, points to request/comment and uses an increasing number of words |
19–24 months | Begins putting two or more words together and develops a larger vocabulary |
Many two-year-olds use simple phrases, ask one- or two-word questions and speak around 50 or more words, while individual development still varies.
What's normal vs. what's not: Red flags parents shouldn't ignore
Variation is normal, but persistent concerns about speech, understanding, gestures, hearing or social communication should be discussed with a healthcare professional rather than simply waiting.
Consider speaking with your child’s doctor if you notice:
- No babbling by 9–12 months
- No pointing, reaching, or gestures of any kind, including baby signs by 12 months
- No single words by 15–18 months
- No two-word combinations by 24 months
- Loss of previously used words or gestures at any age
- Family, friends, or carers still struggle to understand your child’s speech past 24 months
Using signs does not mean parents should ignore a delay in speech, understanding or social communication, but if your baby isn’t picking up gestures of any kind, spoken or signed, alongside these other red flags, that combination is worth raising with a specialist rather than sitting with for another few months.
You can read more about the causes and symptoms of speech delay and broader developmental delay in children on our site.
Parent checklist: Is my baby's communication developing?
Use this simple checklist as a conversation starter with your child’s healthcare professional, not as a diagnosis.
My baby:
☐ Responds to sounds or familiar voices
☐ Makes different sounds
☐ Babbles
☐ Looks towards sounds
☐ Uses gestures
☐ Makes eye contact during interaction
☐ Shows interest in people
☐ Understands some familiar words
☐ Communicates wants or needs somehow
☐ Continues to gain new communication skills
☐ Has not lost previously acquired skills
If several boxes concern you, or if your child has stopped doing something they previously could do, it is reasonable to ask for professional guidance.
When signing isn't enough: How Dr Arif Khan's team can help
If you’re noticing any of the red flags above, an evidence-based evaluation is the next right step.
Dr Arif Khan, a British Board-Certified Pediatric Neurologist and founder of Neuropedia and Kids Neuro Clinic, has spent over 20 years assessing children with speech, language, and broader developmental concerns across Dubai.
A consultation typically starts with a detailed developmental history and hands-on milestone check, so you’re never left guessing whether a delay is genuine or simply your child’s own pace. Where support is needed, his multidisciplinary team brings together:
Speech-language therapists, who build a personalised plan around your child’s specific speech or language pattern | Occupational therapists, who address any related motor or sensory factors | Behavioural specialists, where social communication or attention also needs support |
This joined-up approach means you’re not left piecing together separate opinions, the team works from one shared plan, with progress reviewed and adjusted as your child grows.
Results vary from child to child, and no responsible clinician can promise a fixed timeline, but early evaluation can help identify communication or developmental difficulties sooner and connect children with appropriate support when needed.
Give your baby every way to be understood
Whether your baby is happily signing for “more” or you’re simply keeping an eye on their speech milestones, the goal is the same: making sure they’re understood, and catching anything that needs support early rather than late.
If your instincts are telling you something isn’t quite on track, book a consultation with Dr Arif Khan for a clear, evidence-based assessment, for total peace of mind.
FAQs
Yes, babies who sign can communicate their needs earlier, are less frustrated and have more interaction with other people, but this does not mean they will be able to speak earlier.
Most babies are ready from about 6-9 months at which point they can sit with support, hold eye contact and reach or point towards what they want.
Pat your open hand against your chest in a small, circular movement, and say “please” aloud during a request, repeating this every time you ask until your baby echoes the gesture.
A meaningful sign shows that your child is communicating intentionally, but speech and language development should be assessed across several skills, including understanding, gestures, spoken words and social communication.
No credible evidence shows signing delays speech. Because every sign is paired with the spoken word, signing supports rather than substitutes for talking.
“Milk” or “more” are commonly taught first, since feeding happens several times a day, giving your baby frequent, motivating chances to practise and use it.
There’s no fixed timeline. Most children naturally drop signs in favour of words between 18 and 24 months as spoken vocabulary and mouth co-ordination develop.
Speak to a specialist if your baby isn’t babbling by 12 months, pointing or gesturing by 12 months, saying words by 18 months, or combining words by 24 months.
About the Author
Dr. Arif Khan
- British Board-Certified Pediatric Neurologist
- Founder of Neuropedia
- 20+ Years of Experience
- Author & International Speaker
Dr. Arif Khan is a British Board-certified Consultant Pediatric Neurologist with over 20 years of experience in pediatrics and neurology. Based in Dubai, he is widely recognized for his expertise in treating children with autism, ADHD, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. He is the founder of Neuropedia, the region’s first comprehensive pediatric neurosciences center, and is known for his compassionate, child-focused approach to specialized neurological care.
After completing his pediatric and pediatric neurology training in the United Kingdom, Dr. Arif worked across leading NHS hospitals, including Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and University Hospitals of Leicester. He later moved to the UAE, where he led major pediatric neurology initiatives and established innovative children’s neuroscience services in the region. He currently practices at Neuropedia, Kids Neuro Clinic, and Fakeeh University Hospital Dubai.
In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Arif is an Associate Professor (Adj.), an accredited examiner for the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, and the author of more than 40 peer-reviewed publications and the book Pediatrics – A Clinical Handbook.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for general educational purposes and does not constitute personalized medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment specific to your circumstances.