my 2.5 year old, will eat her breakfast, lunch and dinner (even veges)but i have to sit with her the whole time. this sometimes takes up to 45 mins! i have tried walking away, so i can prep our dinner, or if it's lunch time (i have already finished) i walk away to clean up dishes, and she will no longer be interested in eating or get distracted. the funny thing is, the minute i come back, she will eat again. it'd good that she eats (veges aswell smile), but my frustration lies with the time factor. if it's breakfast, and it's been 45 mins, we might have to get to her swimming class or an apoitment. the other thing, is i am pregnant, so when bub arrives, i won't be able to sit for 45 mins.
is this normal, should i just keep going with this, as she is actaully eating?

i say lap it up that shes eating so well. even if when bub comes u sit and feed or cuddle bub when shes eating.

i would sit there for 3 hours if it meant my ds would eat what i serve up hahaha

How far away is the kitchen from where she is sitting? Can she still see you?

How far away is the kitchen from where she is sitting? Can she still see you?

she is not far from the kitchen at all, but cannot see me because of a wall, but can hear me.

i am happy she is eating, but do know children younger than her, that will eat all by themselves and don't need any "push" at all to eat. even though she eats her veges and other stuff, i still have to really encourage her sometimes, which is why it can take 45 mins, because i am trying so hard to get them in her.

My 23 month old twins will eat by themsleves. The refused to let me help them not long after they turned 1. Occasionally they will ask for help but not very often, usually only when they are tired.
In saying that some days they will only eat if they are sitting on my knee facing their highchair and with twins, monkey see monkey do and i end up with both of them sitting on my knee.
I find with my girls the more attention you pay to them when they are eating the worse they get.
They love sitting at the table with us so at least 3 or 4 times a week we all sit down together.
All a bit of trial and error i think. If you can i would slowly wean yourself off her. Sit with her for say 3/4 of her meal then move away and slowly reduce the time you sit with her. She wont starve herself so maybe some tough love may help (breaks your heart but it is for a good outcome).
Good luck.