The Best Nursery Gliders To Create A Serene Setting For Your Baby

A great glider is a must-have for any baby room, right up there with a crib, a changing pad and a diaper pail. The best nursery gliders are stylish, comfortable and functional, offering something to the overall aesthetics of the room but also acting as the perfect spot for you and your baby to relax. Gliders are the ideal place for story time, breastfeeding or bottle feeding and cuddling during those middle-of-the-night wake-ups when they need a little extra comfort.

"Choosing a comfy chair for the nursery can be a big bonus when it comes to your [child's] bedtime routine," explains Amber LoRe, pediatric sleep consultant at Huckleberry, a baby sleep service. "Calm feedings in a cozy spot lead to drowsy babies with full tummies. In other words, it's the perfect mix for a good night's sleep." And a "consistent bedtime routine" often turns into a "valuable tool" for parents as it can help to set the course for healthy sleep habits for the whole family, she adds.

With everyone's health and happiness in mind and as parents ourselves, we've rounded up the best nursery gliders that will make the middle of the night feedings a little more appealing. We spoke with several experts quoted within this story and asked other parents for their favorite gliders, rockers and recliners. I also analyzed bestsellers to create this list of 11 top chairs. When you're finished picking out the best glider for your nursery, you might consider perusing our other recommendations for the baby's room, including the best night lights, nursery rugs and white noise machines.

Best Nursery Glider Overall: Babyletto Kiwi Glider
Best Nursery Glider Recliner: Pottery Barn Kids Charleston Glider
Best Nursery Glider For Small Spaces: Dutailier Rose Glider
Best Nursery Glider With Ottoman: Pottery Barn Kids Dream Swivel Glider
Best Affordable Nursery Glider: Babyletto Madison Swivel Glider
Best Splurge Nursery Glider: Serena & Lily Hayden Swivel Glider
Best Nursery Glider For Multiples: Oilo Studio Flynn Reclining Glider
Most Stylish Nursery Glider: Leanne Ford Snoozer Boucle Swivel Glider
Best Rocker Nursery Glider: West Elm Madera Rocker
Best Nursery Glider With A Wide Seat: West Elm Tuba Extra Wide Swivel Glider
Most Versatile Nursery Glider: Nurture& The Glider

Best Nursery Glider Overall

A Glider That Reclines With The Push Of A Button

Best Nursery Glider And Recliner

A Chic Option That Keeps Everyone Comfortable

Best Nursery Glider For Small Spaces

A Compact, Comfortable Option That Lasts

Best Nursery Glider With Ottoman

Incredibly Plush And Splurge-Worthy

Best Affordable Nursery Glider

A Chic Option With A Surprisingly Low Price

Best Nursery Glider For A Splurge

A Long-Term Option That Exudes Luxury

Best Nursery Glider For Multiples

A Great Option For Families With More Than One Child

Most Stylish Nursery Glider

A Chic Option That Swivels

Best Rocking Nursery Glider

A Traditional Feel With Modern Comfort

Best Nursery Glider With A Wide Seat

A Stylish Option With Plenty Of Space

Most Versatile Nursery Glider

A Reclining Chair With An Optional Storage Ottoman

How We Chose The Best Nursery Gliders

As a mother, I have tried many gliders over the years, but I also spoke with medical professionals and pediatric sleep experts to find out the benefits of gliders in the nursery, as well the best features to look for in them. I spoke to more than a dozen parents about their favorite picks, and I also relied on my knowledge as a lifestyle and parenting shopping writer to pull together this list. The editors at Forbes also have deep roots in the baby and home spaces. They've covered their favorite furniture for kids, such as the best bean bag chairs, bassinets, toddler beds and bunk beds, too. And we've picked out the best office chairs, reading chairs and sat on way too many couches and mattresses.

What To Look For When Buying A Glider For The Nursery

As any seasoned parent will tell you, you'll spend more time than you think in the nursery glider during the first few years of your child's life. For that reason, you'll want something that is comfortable and versatile. Look for gliders that offer plenty of back support and are made of an easy-to-clean material. The footrest of a nursery glider recliner can help you relax more, especially during nursing. Swivel chairs are convenient and USB ports will also come in handy.

Julieta Hernandez, a NICU nurse at Northwell Health's Cohen's Children Medical Center notes the benefits of creating a serene environment and how a comfy chair can help with that, even promoting that all important skin-to-skin contact.

"Babies experience stress just like adults do and rely on their caretakers to regulate their environment," she explains. In order to cultivate a serene environment for your child, Hernandez says it's imperative that the caretaker feels comfortable and calm. She notes that getting skin-to-skin time in, especially in the beginning, is a good practice "to help families bond, thermoregulate babies and stabilize their heart and respiratory rates." Hernandez adds, "When doing this at home, it's important to have a good nursery chair that you and baby are comfortable in."

Hernandez most values, "a chair that reclines with good leg support can aid in comfortable positioning for maximum cuddles."

In addition to leg and back support, she also maintains that it's important the parent is comfortable so that the baby can remain calm. A proper nursery chair should allow "either parent to sit back, relax and place baby skin-to-skin on your chest" so that the whole family can truly enjoy the experience.

Comfort And Support

Comfort is key when it comes to choosing a glider or chair. You'll spend a lot of time in that chair, especially in the early months, while breastfeeding and during sleep regressions or cluster feeding. Separate of that, a great chair will offer comfort even as your child becomes older and story time becomes an even more important aspect of the bedtime routine. A footrest can really bump up your comfort level, so if a recliner isn't built into it, you may want to seek out an ottoman.

Versatility

While it depends on your space and your family's needs, it's optimal if a nursery glider is versatile in its movement options (who knows which sensation your baby will best respond to). If it reclines, glides or rocks and swivels, then you've checked all the boxes.

Functionality

Similar to things to keep in mind in terms of versatility, you should note the functions your family requires. Do you need a charging port? Do you need performance fabric or a slipcover to make cleanup easier? (That's a trick question; every parent needs that.) Be sure to ask yourself these important questions before investing in a glider just because it suits your nursery's style. If your breastfeeding, a footrest and padded armrests become important as well, helping you get into the right position over and over again.

Is A Nursery Glider Necessary?

Of the 18 parents that I spoke with when researching for this story, only one said she didn't think a glider or nursery chair was worth the investment. Most parents, however, maintain that it's an integral part of a fully-functional nursery. The right chair provides a comfortable and safe place to feed an infant, lull a child to sleep or read a story. Having made the mistake of purchasing a traditional rocking chair without padding or a footrest myself, I can attest that the right nursery chair takes stress off your legs and back, making rocking your child far easier.

Are Baby Gliders Safe?

Baby gliders are like a modern version of a rocking chair and they glide more smoothly and seamlessly than rockers. Thanks to their stable base, as opposed to the curved legs of a rocking chair, they are generally considered safe. "If used properly, gliders are considered safe," says Jada Shapiro, founder of Boober, childbirth educator and lactation counselor. "As babies begin to crawl, be mindful of any moving parts in the base which could pinch fingers." Like any other piece of furniture, baby gliders have the potential to be unsafe if babies are left with them unattended. Some gliders have a locking feature to prevent such accidents.

Are Gliders Good For A Nursery?

A glider is a great addition to a nursery because they give parents and caregivers a spot to comfortably nurse, feed and hold their children. They're also comforting for babies. "Gliding, rocking and swaying all provide a similar sensation to what babies experienced in the womb, which is why these motions are used universally by people to soothe and settle babies," Shapiro says. They can also be used beyond infancy, making them a lasting addition to the nursery.

How Do You Breastfeed In A Glider?

Gliders are an excellent spot for breastfeeding. They offer enough room for a parent and baby, and the arms and high backs give great support. You can breastfeed in a glider just like you would on a bed or a couch. Some gliders recline to make you feel more comfortable, while others offer footrests or come with ottomans that can elevate your feet, easing the pressure on your back while holding baby for breastfeeding. You can also consider adding in a nursing pillow to improve the experience even more. If you're using a breast pump, some gliders also have USB ports and charging ports to keep it charged.

Do You Really Need A Glider In A Nursery?

While gliders and rocking chairs are convenient and offer a perfect spot for caregivers, they aren't a necessity per se. "You do not need a rocking chair or a glider in a nursery, as you can always make rocking motions with your own body, no matter what type of chair you're sitting in," Shapiro says. "Gliders make it easier for parents and caregivers to rock their baby in a comfortable, relaxed way."

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