Babies understand spoken language far sooner than they can produce it, which can lead to communication problems in toddlerhood. It's been noted that children of deaf parents, and deaf children who are taught sign language from an early age, develop productive language quicker than spoken language, so people have started using sign language with babies in an attempt to increase their productive language at an earlier age.

Many babies develop their own non-verbal forms of communication but there's no harm in adding to the repertoire if they'll let you. YoungBloke will pat me on the chest when he wants a breastfeed but can't say when he wants a drink or is hungry - and despite using signs for these things he doesn't use them back. He also points a lot, but we noticed quite early on that while he'll point enthusiastically, he doesn't necessarily point at either what he wants, or what he's looking at, which can make it tricky to decide how to continue!

There are books, videos, DVDs and courses available to teach parents and babies signing and some nurseries use signing too. It all aids communication and this is no bad thing - many toddler tantrums can be put down to frustration because the toddler can't explain what they want, or how they're feeling.

Hi, by the way. I remember you from afp.