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baby sign language--please help!

jodipas123jodipas123
in Babies: 9 - 12 Months

I was wondering if anyone can help me with this?

Any approaches that have worked, video's(I know some she is suppost to watch and some I learn from)? Maybe?

She has a G-tube (feeding tube) in her tummy--long story! she is only about a month or so in some area's and is almost 6 months.

Any tips, good viedo's, books etc.
She does take very small amounts of 'taste' by mouth of baby food and LOVES it but we are a no bottle zone! so I cant just offer her a bottle to see if she is hungry or not. s
she is so smart and I think in time even alot of time, the tube is going nowhere fast and in that time I want to do everything in my power to help her tell us, especially if the goal is to get her off the tube she has to be able to take food by mouth and realistically the tube is going to be in until atleast she can eat real people food! ;) and probably then some--but it will come out!
feeding is her only issue thank god!

thanks in advance
Jodi

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Re: baby sign language--please help!

  • babydubs5babydubs5
    No advice about sign language, but I was wondering if you could shoot me an email?  I have a question for you!!
    my email is my screen name at hotmail.com

    Thanks!!
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  • brennrobertbrennrobert
    Both developmentally and chronologically, she is too young to be able to communicate with sign. You could be exposing her to it, but it's not until around 9-10 months that 1) babies are able to imitate the signs, and 2) they are able to understand how to use them. I definitely wouldn't expect her to be able to learn from watching a video right now. What are you hoping to have her communicate? That she is hungry? If I have more info, I can better make some recommendations.
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  • Taylor44Taylor44

    I don't think it is ever too early or too late to start using sign language.  We started with my son around 5 months old.  He picked up the sign for milk after a while, but it was just the other week, around 10 months old, that we really saw him signing back to us.  And we really have to pay close attention.  He still doesn't really use them to sign his actual feelings though.  If I say the word more, he will sign it back to me, but he doesn't really sign the word more when he actually wants more.  We used a video that my husband and I watched.  Basically, the best way is to use the signs consistently when you are saying the word.  Also, you can make up your own signs, you don't need to use to the ASL signs.  We used Sign with your Baby by Joseph Garcia.  I purchased it online at Amazon.com.  Good luck.

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  • brennrobertbrennrobert
    The pp explained the developmental readiness perfectly. Her child will sign on command by giving the sign when hearing the word. Her DC is not using it to spontaneously request or inform, which I believe is what you're hoping for. I've been signing with DD since she was only a few months old. Her imitation is still inconsistent, she does not tact (provide signs on command), and is only just starting any independent initiation at 9 months. You state that feeding is her only issue, but also state that she's "only about a month or so in some areas." Is she showing any developmental delays other than feeding? If there are motor or cognitive delays, then all the more expecting her to use sign for independent initiation may be expecting too much of her right now and other methods may work better for both of you. Without knowing much about the situation, I think your best thing would be to really watch for DDs cues. Are you trying to see if she wants people food or are you trying to determine if she's hungry to do the g-tube feeding? If it's the first, then show her the food and watch for signs of trying to get it, excitement, etc. Once she's reaching for it and initiating communication, you can demo the sign for her. If it's the latter, then look for hunger cues just as you would in a newborn to know when they are hungry or not.
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  • LoveEeyoreLoveEeyore member
    Here's my recommendation.  Go ahead and do the sign as you wish- it's fun, challenges the baby and any communication is great.  BUT in addition, you say she likes baby food.  I would choose one item to represent feeding- a spoon or a washed out empty jar of baby food.  Then throughout the day hold up the item with say, a toy.  If she reaches for the jar, immediately give her a bite of food.  If she reaches for the toy or other item, let her play with it.  Additionally, when you offer her scheduled meals, use the same transitional item- hold up, tell her "Time to eat!" then present food.  YOu can then transition to pictures of items.
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