Denny -

I don't believe I actually took a "position" on teaching baby sign language.
I was reacting to a comment quoted in the article, more to the context of
the idea than to the idea itself. (Actually, I never really thought about
teaching sign language to babies - it never would have occurred to me,
except for babies in special circumstances. My own were all fluent by 12
months, my first actually talking in full sentences with subjunctives and
modifying phrases by a year, and my twins not too far behind.)

But I stand by my objection to the idea of teaching babies sign language,
when it is framed within the context of child-management or whatever the
dread babywise is - a concept that is already effectively separating mother
and baby by an imposed "schedule". *That's* what I am upset by. I have no
problem with the notion of your children being taught to sign, Denny,
because I am fully confident that you gave them the loving and attentive
care that they deserved and needed, whenever they needed it. I don't have
that confidence in a system of "scheduling" that by its definition increases
the distance between a baby and its mom. I'll be willing to bet that you and
your babies had fun with the signing!

I also understand the idea of giving small children a means to communicate,
so as to short-circuit some of that frustration they have when they know
what they want but can't verbalize it yet. I have always told people that my
son was a pretty irritable little guy until he learned to speak, which
fortunately was early; it was totally clear to me that that was why he had
such a hard time. (And, probably not coincidentally, he was the least-BF of
my 3 - new mom who knew absolutely nothing about BFing then, beset by
critical and nervous-making in-laws!) And my twins didn't seem to feel the
same compulsion to speak, because they "talked" to each other in that
special twin-way, so it wasn't a problem for them.

So it's not the sign language per se that I don't like, I guess it's the use
the tool is put to in this context. And I am totally convinced that denying
children their opportunity to nurse because it's "not time yet", and
imposing a parental idea of a sleep-eat-wake cycle on them, is not going to
cut down on "whining" (kids that little can't whine yet anyway - they learn
that later) or teach good manners! Even combined with sign language! Good
manners come from example, and from expectations of appropriate behaviour,
and to my observation just follow pretty naturally when a child is respected
and his needs are met.

Cathy Bargar, RN, IBCLC Ithaca NY (just my opinion - and you make a good
point, Denny, it's certainly not something I know much about.)

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