http://www.mchlimo.com/baby-talking-in-sleep/
Introducing Baby Sign Language to Your Little One
Learning baby sign language, like any other process in a baby’s life, will require that they start at a simple, basic point, and slowly work their way up to more complexity. You need to keep yourself from assuming that just because these signs are “merely” gestures, more like pictures than anything else, they are automatically simplistic. Even very basic sign languages can include signs that refer to quite abstract ideas, like love or loyalty, so you’ll need to be sure you leave more complicated signs until later.
Indeed, you should start with the baby sign language that relates to the things the child is most preoccupied with at this young age. So a sign for the word “hungry” would be very important, as would signs for “food” or “sleep.” As well as helping the baby learn to sign these simple ideas, you would also speak the words as you use the signs. The reason for this is that right from the beginning, you will be teaching the child to associate that spoken word with the idea expressed in the sign.
Once “eat” is understood, the signs for actual foods could then be introduced. You could teach signs for things like “milk” for one. After you introduce solid foods, such as mashed bananas or peas, you’d incorporate the signs for those.
Be aware that you do not necessarily need to use something like American Sign Language, that is to say, ASL baby sign language, but can come up with your own signs to help your baby comprehend what the symbols are talking about. Your little one might even start forming their own signs for various things, and once you understand them, you can use them too.
You will recognize when the child has learned the baby sign language you’ve been teaching. For example, they might know how to indicate “sleepy” or “hungry,” and start using those signs to you when they feel those things. Once you see that they’ve grasped signs on that level, you will know it’s time to sign words or ideas at the next level of complexity. You can follow the child’s lead, teaching new ideas as he or she is ready. It won’t take long before the child has developed a considerable vocabulary, and can express themselves meaningfully.
How do you communicate with a child who is not old enough to speak? The answer is through baby sign language. You can learn to sign with baby, thus making it possible for you to communicate months or even years before they are able to communicate orally.