Hi all.
I have a brand new baby girl and I've always been interested in signing.
I have no idea where to start though. Do you bother starting this early? What did you use to learn how to do it?

Thanks!

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WOW!!!! 17 Days!!! Welcome to the group!!!

Yes I would start this early. While she may not remember or even focus on what you are signing to her, it will help you, her dad and older brother to get used to signing. It will come more naturally to your family. As hearing parents, we don't start talking to our children when they start learning to talk. We talk to them all the time because we know that they are absorbing that language. Deaf parents do the same thing with their hearing babies. They sign from day one, knowing that their baby is learning.

Tell us more about yourself! Your DH? Your son? and that beautiful baby of yours!!!

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That makes perfect sense thank you!

More about us...hmm not sure what to say. My husband and I will be married 10 years this Dec. We've been together for almost 12 years.
I have an angel son from a previous relationship. He was born 17+ weeks premature and died the following morning in the nicu.
Our son Joey will be 11 this June. He's a great kid and does very well in school despite having what's been diagnosed as moderate ADHD.
We started trying for another baby 9 years ago and finally got pregnant Aug 7th with the use of fertility drugs and donor sperm.
Katie is a complete and total miracle. I got very sick from the fertility drugs and we were told no to get too attached to the baby growing inside me (yeah right!!!) because I'd probably miscarry. Thankfully our prayers and the prayers of friends and family must have been heard

OK wow I rambled

What materials are the best to use to start learning how to sign to your baby?

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Welcome to our group!!!

Isn't God good!!! Little ones are amazing!

I use the Sign With Your Baby series by Joseph Garcia. You can get it at most major book stores or www.sign2me.com has ordering information, another forum for moms and dads, and info about classes that are offered worldwide! I recommend the Complete Learning Kit because you have a book, DVD or video and a quick reference guide. If you take a class from one of the presenters, they have even more things to help you.

Let me know if we can help you!!!

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My DS is almost 8 months old and we started using the signs from day one. Our main reason is that we had to learn them too and we wouldn't be as likely to be consistent when he was "old enough" if we didn't start early. Also, I agree with the comment above, you don't wait to start talking to them, so why not have them see it from the beginning. My baby knows 4 signs (that I know of) and uses 3 that are very easy for him to do.

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Jennifer (33)
DH (34)
DS Jack-September 2004
DS Sam-June 2006
furbaby Dean

I don't think it's too early to start either! I started signing with both kids at birth. With my dd I started really using it more when she was around 9 months I think, maybe later. I took a sign language class when I was about 13 and one in college.

Hello and welcome!
I agree that it is never too early to start! I used just a few in the early months but stepped it up when Kate was around 6 months. I got most of my information from the book "Baby Signs" but I've since seen that there is sooo much more out there, so I would suggest seeing if your library has any resources and see what fits your personality style before investing in any one particular program. I think what works best is just using the signs yourself consistently and being intuned with your baby to recognize their attempts to communicate.

Good luck! Keep us updated!

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Thank you.
Ah the library great (free!) Idea!!
I'll see if I can't get there this weekend.
And thank you for the warm welcome!!!

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