12 month old rocks violently in high chair during meals

[Katiebairdy]

Help! My 12 mo baby is a nightmare in her high chair. The second she gets sat in there she begins rocking (at times pretty violently) back and forth. She’ll continue the entire time she’s in there unless I can distract her with something very exciting. It’s really miserable, she’s had a lot of health issues including reflux and has had a few odd repetitive behaviours over the last few months that have fizzled out so I had hoped this would too, but so far it hasn’t. I’m concerned that eating is still causing her discomfort and that’s why she does it. She doesn’t get otherwise distressed in the chair and eats very well, but I’m seriously triggered by it and just want to help her. Any ideas? Eating on my lap is as difficult as you can imagine with a very active baby and more children to consider!

If she doesn't do the rocking anywhere else is it that she dislikes the chair? Or does she seem to be enjoying the fact that it rocks? Will she sit at a toddler table and chair instead? Can you get one of those booster seats that attach to a dining chair? Maybe she wants to be at the table with you?

Sit her on a blanket on the floor and give her a picnic
see if she still rocks
you can sit with her and supervise
like many things it’s likely a phase

Thanks everyone. It doesn’t seem like the rocking upsets her, I think it is an unusual self sooth thing like has been suggested. She’s not quite stable enough for a toddler chair and her high chair does push right in so she’s sitting at the table with everyone else. I do try and picnic when we can! Fingers crossed it just fades away as she gets bigger!

I can see why that would make you nervous, especially when your little one is rocking so hard that the whole high chair seems to move. At around 12 months, babies are becoming much more active and may rock, bounce, or wiggle when they're excited, frustrated, tired, or simply trying out what their bodies can do.
I'd first check the basics: make sure the high chair is on a stable, level surface, the safety straps are fitted properly, and your child stays supervised while eating. If they're repeatedly trying to stand or lean far out of the chair, it may be better to pause the meal and help them settle rather than trying to restrain the movement.
If you're looking at different high chairs or other feeding essentials, Little Canadian is one place where parents can browse baby and toddler products. Just make sure whatever you choose is appropriate for your child's size and developmental stage.
If the movements seem involuntary, happen frequently outside mealtimes, or are accompanied by staring, loss of awareness, unusual stiffness, or other developmental concerns, I'd bring it up with your pediatrician. Otherwise, some energetic rocking at mealtimes can simply be part of having a very active one-year-old.