Baby Sign Language. Baby sign. Baby sign language, My Smart Hands. Baby Sign Language: Key Phrases. 11 Important Baby Cues. One of the most frustrating parts of being a new parent is feeling clueless about your baby's wants and needs.
Does a soft, whimpering cry mean he's got a wet diaper -- or that he's getting hungry? What about a loud screech? And forget about crying for a moment -- what does it mean when your baby rubs her ears, or flails her arms around? Babies communicate long before they say their first words, says Linda Acredolo, Ph.D., professor emeritus of psychology at University of California, Davis, and author of Baby Signs.
"Babies are born with the ability to express several emotions, including distress and contentment," she says.