My DD is just under 16 months and not talking yet. She makes noises (lots of squeals, shrieks, sings "lalalalala" and occasionally "yehyehyeh" to herself) and copies sounds others make (such as "shushing" sounds or if someone sneezes she makes an "achoo" sound) but has no actual words. When she was younger she used to babble (mamama, dadada etc) a lot more but hasn't done this so much since she became mobile. She seems to understand everything we say, follows instructions really well, recognises objects and is very happy, sociable and affectionate. She walks well, her fine motor skills are good. I'm just getting really worried because people keep asking me if she's talking "yet" and seem surprised when I say she's not. I've also read that they're supposed to be saying at least 6 words by 18 months and I can't see how DD is going to get to that point in the next couple of months. At her 10-12 month check the HV said she was advanced for her age so I don't know how she's fallen behind in her development. I talk to her, read to her and sing to her all the time..I just don't understand where I'm going wrong. She has a dummy but only for naps and bedtime. Could that be the problem? I'd rather not get rid of it just yet as she's teething at the moment and it seems to be the only thing that eases the discomfort. Any advice would be much appreciated.