My 17 mth old hardly speaks - should I be worried??

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DD hardly says a word. She does babble a bit but on the whole is quite a quiet girl. She will occasionally say 'mam' 'dada' and 'byebye' but not very often. Although she clearly understands most things I say to her. She I be worried??

I know you shouldn't comapare but it seems my friends babies are having full blown converstaions and they are a similar age.

number 3 didn't say a word till well gone 2. He'd just point and say 'uh-du'. Evenetually the HV, all doom and gloom, decided he had ASD and reffered him to a child psychiatrist. We saw this woman just before he turned 3 and he walked in and said 'hello lady'
My jaw hit the floor!
There's a whole 'normal' range for talking. Your dd is just at one end of it I imagine.

My DD2 is also 17m and doesn't say many clear words at all - her older sister was a skilled conversationalist at the same age so it's difficult not to compare sometimes! However, the important thing is that they show understanding of what you say to them. From what I've read the listening part of communcation is developed well ahead of speech. Don't worry, she'll soon be chatting and you won't get a moment's peace.

She says more than my dd, who is same age

This was me with my son about 11 months ago. He now talks fine. I think as long as she can understand what you say and has a couple of words she is fine. It will come. I think people can forget how little children are and expect so much of them at such a young age. They have such a lot going on in their little lives and bodies and it sounds like she is fine.

Don't be worried. Some babies are like this. My DS didn't say a word until he was gone 2, he hardly babbled either, or cried, was just a very quiet baby. Judging by his personality now at nearly 5 years old, I recon he was just waiting till he could do it properly and talk in sentances, as this is wheat he did.

It really is nothing to worry about, especially if she understands what you say.

MY ds is 3.3 and quite advanced in language skills. He didn't really begin speaking more than about 3 words till he was over 2.

HE couldn't say dada till he was over 18 months.

Understanding is more important at this age than being able to say x number of words.

Thanks - makes me feel better!!! Having said that since I posted she seems to have babbled non stop! Don't think she appreciates me posting about her

Reading this reminded me of something my dh told me when i was worried about my two for the same thing, allegedly Einstein did not talk at all until he was three so it obviously didnt hold him back did it ? agree with armadilloDaMan totally, understanding far more important.Also my friends son who is only 4 and can play and explain games like Deal or No Deal to a fool such as myself was always under the scrutiny of HV until he was 4 because he barely made a sound, i think too busy listening to his own thought patterns inside his head. My dd (3) i do sometimes have to remind to talk because Icant know what she is thinking unless she does.She seems to think I can hear
what is going on in her head!!communication not just talking is a skill I think they learn of experiences and time. Enjoy every moment because when she does find her voice she may sometimes drive you mad with questions !!