Picking the right nursing chair gives you more than just a place to sit while you feed your baby. In the post-natal months, as a mother still recovering from the exertions and stress your body was put through, a good chair you’ll be spending long hours in as you nurse your baby or rock them to sleep can do wonders to improve your experience. An ergonomically designed recliner or glider will support your back so you don’t have to ruin your posture holding yourself awkwardly as you feed or rock your baby, with sturdy, padded armrests so you don’t risk exhaustion holding your little one for extended periods of time.
Though it may seem more cost-friendly, your plushy couch isn’t going to cut it if you find yourself struggling to climb off and risk waking your snoozing little one up, while anything that has your feet dangling above the ground as you sit is likely to put strain on your back, so too high- or wide-seated chairs are out of the question too. In fact, the best nursing chairs are multitasking bits of furniture, doubling as a babycare kit with pockets you can stow bibs, diapers and bottles in, swivel features to give you more maneuverability so you can turn and reach for things nearby, and/or footrests or ottomans for sore feet that’d appreciate some time-out. So which nursing chairs are actually worth the investment, and not just for the nursing months? Check out our top picks.
KEN’S PICK
DaVinci Olive Upholstered Swivel Glider with Bonus Ottoman
Clean, minimalistic and chic, this is the kind of armchair we’d like to have around in our homes not just during the nursing months of our child’s first years, but preferably way beyond that. The tastefully understated design makes it a timeless piece, but aesthetics aren’t the only reason we love this item. This swivel glider not only gives you the flexibility you need to gently rock your baby to sleep while still being able to rotate your chair a full 360 degrees, maybe to grab the TV remote, a drink from a nearby table or your phone, but makes sure you’re completely comfortable the whole time.
The high back of the chair is designed to ensure head and neck support, while a lumbar pillow holds up your lower back and keeps the pressure off your spine, helping maintain or correct your posture and deal with any pesky aches and pains. Meanwhile, the bonus ottoman lets you elevate and rest your feet after a long day, especially if you’re coming down with post-pregnancy sore feet. The ottoman is also a great option if you’re a bit shorter and find your feet unable to touch the ground to make the chair glide, as it keeps the strain off your back by giving your legs the right support. Nonetheless, the high back and solid build of this chair, with the spacious seating, makes it a versatile option that parents of various builds and sizes can use with ease.
Unlike several other glider options, this armchair offers whisper-quiet, creak-free gliding action that won’t get on your or your baby’s nerves, while the 100% polyester upholstery makes it the perfect breathable, tear- and wear-resistant and above all comfortable material for a chair you’re going to spend a lot of time in, not just for your baby’s feeding and sleeping routines, but as a long-term addition to your home’s décor.
KEN’S BUDGET PICK
Storkcraft Hoop Glider and Ottoman Set
Both functional and stylish with its sturdy, espresso-finish wooden frame and plushy beige cushioned seat and back, this glider is going to fit in anywhere from your baby’s nursery to your living-room. Soft polyester upholstery makes it perfectly comfortable to spend some precious cuddle-time in with your little one, enclosed metal ball bearings allowing a smooth gliding motion for both the chair and the ottoman to soothe both you and your baby. Handy, spacious pockets to the sides of the chair are a perfect add-on to keep things you need on hand while nursing your baby, so you won’t have to worry about having to get up or call for someone for a fresh baby bib, diaper or toys.
The padded arms give you the right support to keep holding your baby as they feed or snooze, while the ottoman is a great addition if you find you can’t rest your back flush to the chair without your feet hanging off the edge, letting you prop your legs up and rest while your baby naps away as well.
RUNNER-UP
Baby Relax Mikayla Swivel Gliding Recliner
This item is a 3-in-1 recliner, glider and swivel chair, combining all that functionality into an attractive armchair with classic white welt trim detailing against the clean edges of tasteful gray upholstery, the button tufting against the backrest another design choice we can’t help but appreciate. Not only does it look fantastic, but it works great too – ball bearings enclosed within the chair let you glide it for a smooth rocking motion, the swivel feature letting you rotate the chair around and increase your access to things around you, while a conveniently placed lever allows you to push the seat back into one of three available reclining positions. Add to all that the microfiber upholstery, and we have on our hands not just a comfortable armchair structured with supportive spring core foam, but one that we can keep clean and maintain with ease as well. Roomy and well-built, moms – and dads – can settle into this chair to nurse their babies or even just cuddle with them without worrying about space constraints; tall parents get plenty of support to lean back into it, while shorter folks have an easily accessible footrest to hold their feet up rather than leaving them hanging limply off the edge.
RUNNER-UP
Naomi Home Brisbane Glider & Ottoman Set
With soft but supportive polyurethane fill – great for maintenance when it comes to any unfortunate messes – and a removable microsuede, polyester cover, this gliding chair is a comfy addition to your baby’s bedtime routine, letting both of you sit back and relax. With a classic espresso-finish wood and cream-cushioned combination you can upgrade from the baby’s room to the bedroom or den in a couple of years, the easily accessible pockets to the side of the chair are perfect not just for stowing some of your baby’s necessities but also magazines, the TV remote and on occasion a pack of snacks to treat yourself.