Baby Nursery Glider – A Superb Guide for Happy Buyers in 2020

If you are expecting a baby, then you are probably all ready to deck out the newcomer’s nursery. And why not? The baby is going to need a room of its own – not just to sleep and relax, but also to spend time with parents, grandparents, and siblings. Gliderskirt has put together a nursery glider buying guide for this very purpose.

What is a nursery glider?

So, you’ve got the whole nursery planned. You have the changing table, the crib, the dresser of clothes. You’ve even painted the walls with soothing colors and set up a nice, cool window corner.

But one of the most important aspects of a nursery is the seating arrangement for the parents. A lot of people opt for a small couch for when there are family members or when the parents want to hang out while the child is taking a nap.

However, in addition, you still need a comfortable and sturdy chair that won’t hurt as you sit for hours with your baby. This is the chair for rocking your child to sleep, feeding and nursing them, helping them burp, soothing them when they cry, and reading and relaxing with them. Your nursery chair will become an anchor in their room, an anchor for soothing, bonding, and then learning.  These beautiful moments and hours of new life with your baby require a chair that is not only soothing and smooth for baby, but also ergonomic for you.  

Thus, a glider chair and ottoman combo are very popular. True to its original design, it gently glides back and forth, while giving you an optimum leg and back support. The gliding motion also aids the baby and is a lot less jolting than rocking them around or the back-and-forth movements of a rocking chair.  They are quite simply “tried and true” in the nursery department.

Rockers vs Gliders

If you are considering opting for a glider, it is good to know how it differs from a rocker.

A rocker is a chair that comes with a curved double base on either side. This is sometimes combined with an ottoman of a similar shape. When in motion, it creates a constant swaying motion. Although relaxing, sometimes it can become a bit much for a child (especially if they’re distressed or have just fed). A too sharp rocking motion can also wake up a baby who is just beginning to fall asleep.

Moreover, because rockers are entirely mechanical, it takes some amount of effort for the person seated to keep the pace constant. Too much and it could be too fast. Too slow and it eventually comes to a lulling stop. They’re great for temporary relaxation but cumbersome for long-term use. It also doesn’t help that rockers have no safety mechanism, so a crawling child could easily get their fingers pressed underneath the rocker.

On the other hand, gliders are created with an interlocking set of bolts and beams that create a steady, uniform gliding motion. There is no need for constant effort, nor is there any worry about speed control. The mechanism also comes with a lock so little; stray fingers can’t get trapped in them while the chair is not in use.

Choosing the Right Chair for Your Nursery

There are a number of deciding factors to consider, to decide what ultimately works for you. Here are some of those considerations:

1. Cost: The cost of the item plays a role in deciding which glider chair you will choose for your nursery. If you’re making a budget for items, this goes in the top ticket items list because it has to be an investment, and not a last-minute, impulsive buy. Your chair is going to be a companion even when your infant grows older – they might use it when they can, or you might need it in the future if you decide to have another baby. So consider your nursery glider an investment.
2. Comfort: There are a lot of comfort factors to keep in mind when deciding the nursery glider. One of them is the material of which it is made. Is it a cheap metal or a durable wood with a smooth finish? Has the varnish coat been made with non-toxic materials that are safe for a nursery? Similarly, it needs to be wide enough to move around a little, and the back needs to be supportive of an adult spine, including your head. You should even opt for good cushioning on the hand rests so that your arms don’t end up sore.
3. Durability: Nurseries are not clean by design no matter how hard you try. Life happens in your nursery: tears, feeding, diaper duty, etc. A lot of this is going to end up on the chair itself. Is the material spill-proof? If not, can it be easily cleaned and laundered? Remember, just because something can be cleaned doesn’t mean its look won’t fade. So, if you’re opting for colorful options, stick to lighter or neutral colors that won’t look worn out after the thousandth time you’re wiping away a mark. An important note: most glider chair and ottoman sets are equipped with water-resistant, stain-resistant microfiber fabric.  Yet another area where that “tried and true” comes in.
4. Construction: The manner of the mechanism is one of the most important parts of deciding which nursery glider to buy. It decides how slow or fasts you move. A poorly made glider will jam frequently and will be counterproductive. You definitely want a smooth and effortless ride. And you may also want one with a locking mechanism, which can improve safety while your chair is not in use.
5. Upholstery and Skirting: Gliderskirt happens to have a patented duck-cotton upholstered skirt for gliders. This is to add an extra layer of safety and protection for you and the kids. Easily installed along the sides of the bottom half of the glider chair and ottoman, it has a dual-layer of protection to stop anyone’s hands from wandering too close to the gliding mechanism. It ensures protection, while also adding an aesthetic element to the nursery.  You can get a Glider Skirt in a range of styles to upgrade the overall look and design of your glider chair and ottoman as well as switch out new looks for different nursery decor. But moreover style, it’s definitely worth an investment if you want your glider to be foolproof in its safety.
6. Storage: Some gliders come with storage pockets on the side, for you to keep cleaning cloths, burping cloths, and pacifiers. If your glider is placed far away from where you usually keep these things, a storage pocket can be a handy addition to your chair and something you should consider the option for.
7. Bonus Features: If you have the chance or budget, you can also choose gliders that have bonus features. Some double as massage chairs, some have inbuilt speakers to play soothing rhymes, and some also have remotes to recline and decide the speed of gliding. Whatever makes your job easier and is comfortable in the pocket.

Popular Nursery Gliders Compared

In order to fully understand your options, we’ve drawn a comparison between four popular nursery gliders that are available to buy. They’re the biggest hits on Amazon, and we thought placing them side by side would give you a better idea of exactly what to look for and how much you can expect to spend when you finally decide to buy one.

Keep in mind that this is just a reference list. Tons of baby-product companies sell customized gliders or gliders that might fit your specific preferences. It is best to do your research on the companies near you, who delivers, if the installation is available, and what the ultimate solution is. This nursery glider guide is just to help you better understand what are the basics to look out for.

1. Angle Line Monterey l Glider and Ottoman

Where to buy: Amazon

Price Point: $176.85

Features: This is one of the simplest and most straightforward gliders on the market. Easily available online, it serves all the basic functions that a good glider ought to serve. Although it cannot recline, nor can it swivel – it does have the options of gliding and rocking built into one. Moreover, it comes in five color options and also has removable seat covers for easy cleaning purposes. Its classy, neutral look would fit right into any kind of nursery design

2. Giantex Glider Recliner with Ottoman

Where to buy: Amazon

Price Point: $289.99

Features: This glider is a slightly fancy buy. But with the price comes an array of comfortable features that make it a good addition to the nursery. It reclines and rocks, but it also glides and swivels, making it the perfect combination of functions depending on your needs. Some consumers also enjoy the footrest option here too. Although available in a limited range of, its functionality makes up for it. It also happens to have spill-proof cushioning that can be wiped clean, and it has an in-built massager to soothe any kind of soreness from sitting too long.

3. Dutailier Multiposition Reclining Sleigh Glider and Ottoman

Where to buy: Buy Buy Baby

Price Point: $680

Features: Although on the higher range of pricing, this glider has a lot of care and attention in its construction – which explains the higher price. The design offers deluxe comfort and looks perfect for a nursery or a parent to sit with their baby. The thick cushions, padded arms, and twenty-seven-inch-wide seat make it very comfortable to sit on. It’s also a solid wood construction with a non-toxic finish, which promises a long life. All the ball bearings and main mechanism is covered for safety reasons, and the edges are all rounded so you don’t need to additionally baby proof it. To top it all off, the locking mechanism has six settings to choose from, so you’re not stuck with one position.

4. Graco Parker Semi-Upholstered Glider and Nursing Ottoman

Where to buy: Amazon

Price Point: $280.00

Features: With three different color options, this one is also a good budget buy that’s easily available on Amazon (oftentimes on discount!). Aside from an ottoman, it comes with a pull-out stool which gives you multiple footrest options depending on what kind of relaxed posture you want to sit in. The fabric of the cushion is also completely spill-proof. So, any messes can be wiped down without worries of stains or stickiness. The cushions used are Storkcraft cushions, which are known to produce some of the best baby products and furnishings in the industry, and have the credibility to them. In fact, you can even opt for some matching sets if you’d like a uniform look for the whole nursery.

This decision might seem like a daunting one because it feels like you have a lot of options. But a large number of options is safe because then you can make the right choice instead of simply settling for what is easiest or cheapest. Through a combination of important factors and family needs, you can use this nursery glider guide to perfectly furnish your nursery and ensure that whichever parent or loved one is spending time with the baby, is doing it without the worry of discomfort or hurt.

All nurseries are transformable, and they are bound to change over time. But rockers and gliders are versatile additions that grow with the infant and can last them – sometimes even their kids – many years into the future. So be comforted that you are not just buying something short-term or mechanical. It is a part of your child’s life and will also become a memory for both parents and children alike. Use this guide to find the perfect nursery glider for your tot, and make the lovely memories you deserve to make.