New DCb/Day 3 screeching/no eating/drinking

[playfelt]

Don't worry about the eating and drinking it will come when the child is ready. As long as the child is eating at home fine and you are making the parents aware of his intake while with you they can compensate for a couple weeks. This is actually a very common thing when new kids start. Everything is different from the bowl, spoon, bib, highchair, you, even some of the foods will be different. Best thing is to make no issue about it. If parent says they finger feed at home then just put a dish with a fewe pieces on it and walk away. Make as little eye contact as you can and do not encourage him to eat as that will have the opposite effect - just leave him to it. Our job is to serve the food. It is the child's job to eat it and that starts from very young not just for the picky toddlers.

For the putting down let him sit in a high chair, exersaucer, some other place where he is up and surrounded ie the high chair sides sort of hug him. He will get used to the play around him. Start by giving a toy the first couple of days then leave the toys on the floor where he can see them and he just sits. Part way through playtime take him out - again little conversation, eye contact and do not pick him up as if to hug just lift up to move him to the floor. Get down on the floor nearby and everytime he climbs on you make him sit in front of you screams and tears and all. He will grasp that this is the only option at your house and come around. Repeat chair to floor if necessary each day till he gets it.