Most babies start signing “more” between 10 and 14 months old, though some begin as early as 8 months with consistent modeling from a parent. The timeline depends on when you start teaching, how often you reinforce the sign, and your baby’s individual motor and cognitive development. Even before they sign it perfectly, many babies will produce their own version of “more” that counts as real communication.
The Typical Timeline for Signing “More”
Babies can begin paying attention to hand gestures as early as 4 months old, but their ability to produce signs comes later. The average baby shows active interest in communicating through gestures around 8 or 9 months, which is when most parents find it natural to start teaching signs. Some babies are ready as early as 6 months, particularly if they’re already waving or pointing at things they want.
From the point you start modeling the sign consistently, expect a lag of about two months before your baby signs back. If you begin at 8 months, you might see results around 10 months. If you start earlier, the wait can be longer simply because your baby’s motor skills and cognitive understanding are still catching up. The 10 to 14 month window is when most babies produce their first recognizable signs, and “more” is one of the most common first signs alongside “milk.”
Signs Your Baby Is Ready to Learn
Rather than picking an exact age to start, watch for these behavioral cues that signal your baby is developmentally prepared:
- Pointing at objects they want or find interesting
- Waving hello or goodbye, even loosely
- Raising arms to be picked up (common between 6 and 9 months)
- Reaching out to give or take objects (typical between 9 and 12 months)
- Enjoying face-to-face interaction like peek-a-boo, where they watch your hands and face closely
These milestones show that your baby understands gestures carry meaning and that their own body movements can influence what happens around them. That’s the cognitive foundation signing requires.
What “More” Looks Like When Babies Do It
The formal sign for “more” involves bringing two flattened O-shaped hands together, with all fingertips touching the thumb on each hand, then tapping them together at the midline. Adults can do this precisely. Babies cannot, and that’s completely fine.
Your baby will likely simplify the sign into something that looks more like clapping their fists together. Some babies just bang closed hands in front of their body. Others bring open palms together. The shape of the hands matters far less than the intent behind the gesture. If your baby is looking at food, then banging their fists together, they’re signing “more.” As their fine motor skills develop over the following months, you can gently encourage the more precise hand shape as a way to build dexterity, but early approximations absolutely count.
How to Teach “More” Effectively
Mealtime is the single best context for teaching “more” because food is a powerful motivator. When your baby finishes a few bites of something they enjoy, hold up a small portion, say the word “more” out loud, and make the sign at the same time. Then give them the food. Repeat this dozens of times across many meals. The key is pairing the sign with something your baby genuinely wants, so focus on their favorite foods rather than items they’re indifferent to.
Consistency matters more than duration. You don’t need dedicated “signing practice” sessions. Just weave the sign into natural moments: more crackers, more reading, more bubbles, more swinging at the park. The more contexts your baby sees the sign used, the faster they’ll understand it as a general concept rather than something tied only to one food or activity.
Repetition is what bridges the gap between your baby watching the sign and producing it themselves. Some parents get discouraged after a few weeks with no response. Two months of regular modeling before a baby signs back is normal. Keep going.
Will Signing Delay Speech?
No. Research consistently shows the opposite. Babies who learn sign language tend to develop larger vocabularies and begin speaking earlier than peers who weren’t exposed to signing. One study found that signing babies had higher rates of word comprehension and earlier verbal speech development. Signing gives babies a bridge to communication during the months when they understand far more language than they can vocalize. Once they can say a word more easily than sign it, they naturally transition to speech.
Think of signing as a temporary tool that reduces frustration for both of you. A 10-month-old who can sign “more” instead of crying at the dinner table is practicing communication skills that directly support the verbal language coming a few months later.
What to Expect After “More”
Once your baby masters “more,” you can introduce other high-use signs like “finished,” “want,” and “stop.” These core words work across many daily situations, from meals to playtime to getting dressed. The same teaching approach applies: pair the sign with the spoken word, use it in context, and wait for your baby to produce their own version. Most families find that after the first sign clicks, additional signs come faster because the baby now understands the concept of gesture-based communication.