This is a new thing with my (nearly) 3 year old. She's always been a great eater, but she's suddenly become INSANELY slow. Probably because she never stops talking

I've tried everything I can think of. The only other technique I can think of is to put a strict time limit on it and make her leave the table after her time's up, but I'm worried she will go hungry. It can seriously take her an hour to eat one piece of toast these days.

Any ideas?

Oh yes, I know all about this, our Miss 3 is exactly the same.

We have started to say right, whatever is left when we (DH and I) are finished eating is going in the bin.

Of course she gets hungry between meals and we give her something else then, then she won't eat her next meal, it's a viscous cycle but we don't know what else to do.

Turning the tv off helps, I don't really like having it on, but we do sometimes.

So sorry not much help here, but I do know what it is like, I'm hoping it's just a phase.

DS is always the slowest eater, I think one of the downsides of being an only child is that he has to do so much of the talking at dinner time.

The good thing is that when we are out it works just so well.

Sorry can't help, but wanted to say - wish my kids would be a bit slower! The boys wolf down their food. My mum is terrified that they'll choke since their mouths are so full.

my DD used to take an hour to eat meals and it drove me insane. In the end I got advice from DS's speechie for food problems and she said the best way to tackle it is to turn off TVs and to set a time limit and once that time is up take the plate away and they have no snacks or anything in between meals as a pp said its a vicious cycle. If they eat all their meals within the time lots of praise and if they dont just take it away and don't give it any attention but to tell them times up and thats it no snacks. Worked on DD within a week.

Thanks all.

We don't have the TV on or anything but I think I need to be stricter about the time. I'll give her a time limit and see how we go.

An egg timer or a novelty alarm clock might help encourage her to eat faster.

We have a time limit on dinner times too. If they haven't eaten it in a certain time, they mustn't be too hungry. With Caitie, I usually put it into a container and save it for lunch the next day.

DD2 has started this as well.

now I have to make sure there is no radio or tv on and i try and get something interesting for them after eating... otherwise she talks and sings and gets distracted by anything that is around.

Good luck

DS can be incredibly slow and the only time it works to my advantage is lunchtime as I give him finger food and let him take his time so I do get alot done without distraction. I will definaitely try a novelty alarm for dinner what a great idea!