Comments on: Premature Babies & Baby Sign

By: Amanda

Amanda — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 00:58:43 +0000

Hello Everyone!

I am the mother of 3 wonderful children. My oldest born on her due date, my middle child was born @ 20 weeks, and my youngest was born @ 32 weeks. All very smart beautiful children (if I do say so myself). When my middle child was born I knew nothing of signing with premature babies. However, I did attempt to do certain things to see if and how she could understand and reply. Just as an example, every time I would approach her bed in the NICU, I would stick my tongue out at her. It wasn’t long when I walked in and walked to her bed with the nurse and my beautiful baby girl greeted me before I had a chance to greet her by sticking her tongue out at me. The nurse seen what she did and knew that I had been doing that to greet her. The nurse was amazed and said she had never seen a child in a situation remotely like hers pick up and reply as well or as quick as she did.

All of the nurses started sticking their tongues out when they got near her bed too. It was so cute! I was able to teach my baby how to say hello even though she couldn’t really move her arms, talk, or communicate like others.

Thanks,

Amanda

By: Natasha

Natasha — Sat, 22 May 2010 13:54:01 +0000

Nakija,

I am the mother of a premature baby, born at 23 weeks 4 days, who is now nearly 4 years old and I want to say that you are right….he is very smart and has taught me lots of wonderful things. I sign a few words to him, such as ‘more’, ‘thank you’, ‘sorry’ and ‘milk’ and just yesterday he signed ‘help’ at the same time as saying the word. He was very pleased with himself. Thank YOU for taking the time to tell everyone what wonderful children prem babies become….you are living proof!

Natasha

By: Nakija

Nakija — Tue, 04 May 2010 01:39:51 +0000

Hi I was a premature baby I was very small and I wouldn’t grow but that didn’t stop my mom from communicating with me since it wasn’t a long time ago I still remember this because my mother made sure I knew about this stuff I’m only 10 going on 11 in 15 more days so its hasn’t been a long time and Monique and Zaira your sons are going to be very smart they are going to teach you things that you never even knew about so if you try to communicate a lot they will start to understand what you are doing

Thank You for taking your time to listen
Nakija

By: JackieDurnin

JackieDurnin — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:10:03 +0000

Hi Zaira Do you have a specific question related to the article? If you do please post it here and I will respond to any direct questions you have. For more information on Baby Sign please review the Baby Sign Language Articles and Baby Sign Blog posts for details. Happy Signing Jackie

By: zaira

zaira — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:59:17 +0000

hi i am 21 years old and had my baby boy at 26 weeks. i dont quite understand theb aby signing. could u please explain this to me. thanx.

By: JackieDurnin

JackieDurnin — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:51:20 +0000

Hi Monique

Can I ask have you begun introducing some baby signs to your baby?
I am happy for you to send through your photos but it will be difficult for me to know what she is signing unless you tell me what signs you have introduced to him.

The earliest age I have heard a baby sign back is at 4 months of age and that is after their parents have been signing to their child from day one.
It takes some time for babies so young to sign as there are physical constraints.
What signs do you think your baby is signing?

I look forward to hearing from you

Happy Signing!
Jackie

By: Monique

Monique — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:19:02 +0000

I think my prem baby is trying to comunicate with me now. Can I send you some photos for discussion? He was born 5 Dec 2009 – due 18 Feb 2010 – arrived 11 weeks early – now almost 37 weeks gestation