Learn how to interpret your baby’s signs, swim suits and sun protection for the pool, and how to get baby to sleep after interuptions to schedules with Jami Kent of BBSleepSolutions.
Once your baby starts to explode with signs—it does happen sooner or later—even as moms who teach signing I think we both doubted it a bit, but our daughters signed right on schedule.  Babies usually start signing back a lot sometime between 10-13 months.  They often sign one or two signs prior to this time, but some time in these months, they can explode (now it is later for some kids, but that is OK)

But, once the explosion starts you might be stumped because once the signing starts it’s like talking and one sign can mean several things.  So let’s see if we can give some tips to understand what your baby is signing!

1. Some handshapes develop earlier than others and that means that these will be the first signs.  So the handshapes that are easiest are open hand (like number 5), fists, index finger extended, pincer grasp (thumb and index finger).   This means that your baby might sign MORE with open hands like clapping or might sign MORE by pointing an index finger at an open hand.  These are two common variants.   What other signs might be made with these variations:  BOOK, BALL
2. Some signs are specific to a position on the body, but your baby might not make them at that location. For example, BIRD is made at the mouth, but your baby might make it in the air or down at the waist.  (REVERSE BIRD)
3. Signs might be exaggerated.  Your baby might repeat a sign over and over and over and over or make the sign bigger than you would make it.  When Alex signed FINISHED, we needed to be out of the way because he would swing his arms up in the air and could have knocked one of us out!

Don’t worry if the sign is “right.”  Just encourage your baby and respond to the sign.  You can say, “You’re signing MORE right?  You want some more carrots.”  And then give your baby more.  Your response and encouragement does more than anything to help encourage your baby to communicate with sign and words!

Our Picks for Suits:

We love UV protective suits from Solar Eclipse and One Step Ahead for different reasons–and also their coverups.  Listen and learn about what our opinions are and check out these suites.

Solar Eclipse was started by a woman whose husband died of melanoma.  We tried their 2 piece and 1 piece suits as well as a woman’s coverup.  The suits are pricey, but worth it.  They have so much coverup and UV protection that they are a great investment.  Tricia loves the play coverup.  Listen to the entire discussion–it is really interesting.  And Alex loves the hat!

A less expensive alternative is One Step Ahead and their Sun Smarties clothes and shoes.  The suits we tried had less protection, but were comfortable.  We use this suit when the sun is setting and we are out at the pool. 

Jami Kent from BB Sleep Solutions solves our sleep problems!

 

 Interpreting Signs, Swim Suits, and Getting Baby to Sleep [27:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 21st, 2007 at 4:32 pm and is filed under Developing Story, Stop Tantrums, Start Conversations, Inspect-a-Gadget, Healthy Baby, Happy Mom, Podcasts/Shows. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.