Tuesday, July 7, 2009

One of the things I love about baby signs

I love how it helps my babies communicate younger, and how it leads to less stress, and how it helps them make new brain connections and sharpen motor skills.

But moments like the one I just had make it so special. My sweet 9 month old boy. I was nursing him. These days he just wants to be mobile, and breastfeeding isn't always such a sweet tender experience anymore. It's often full of him struggling to crawl away, then coming back for a quick couple of gulps before escaping again. He rolls away and pulls himself up to stand, all while latched on. Which isn't comfortable! He's hyper and keen to keep moving.

But he had one of those rare moments where he was sleepy and was taking his milk quite seriously. He was gazing up at me with grateful eyes while he guzzled away, and I beamed back down at him. Then, without breaking eye contact, he took his chubby little hand and started to open and close it, to sign for milk. Usually he does this sign when he is asking for milk. But this time I took it to mean, "Thank you for this milk mum. It's delicious".






7 comments:

septembermom said...

Lovely post. I breastfed all 4 of my kids and I'll always miss that closeness and connection during that special time. Sweet photo.

2Shaye ♪♫ said...

So precious. It's amazing how early babies can communicate if we're attentive--whether it be through sign language or EC or other body language. I wish I had been as proactive in communicating with my first two babies as we've been with our third. It has made a huge difference.

Loved this post, by the way!

~Shaye

Kathie said...

Super cute Niecey. Caleb used to do that, and it's so precious.

With Noah, we've baby signed til our hands hurt, and he refuses to do any of it. He just points at what he wants. And cries. I am SO frustrated. :-) But we'll get through it.

lislynn said...

*sigh* you're doing that baby jealousy thing to me again... Oooh how I miss those days....

Laura said...

Oh, I totally agree! Logan signed really well when he was young and Taran signs milk well, more and all done right now. I love when he is nursing and he will sign milk away like crazy! It's the perfect end to the day to spend that time with my cutie.....it will be all too soon when he no longer wants that comfort.

Singing with Logan was fantastic - we were able to communicate really well from such a young age with him. We still keep up with signing with him and encourage him to sign with Taran too.

Kinsleys5 said...

Awwww

DJ said...

Aw, bless!!