Rocking Chairs

[Anonymous]

My husband and I are contemplating whether to get a rocking chair or get a normal living room chair that will be used down the road. I am wondering how many mothers actually used the rocking chairs and how much the process of rocking was essential for the nursing process?

[Anonymous]

We bought a glider, but I really didn't use it much.

[Anonymous]

OP here, Rocking chair or Glider. Also, failed to mention that we live in a townhouse and trying to conserve space.

thanks

[Anonymous]

The rocking isn't key for nursing (in fact, better probably to be still, with feet on a nursing stool for better nursing position, at least at first). Rocking is nice, though, for soothing babies and young kids, especially at bedtime.

Whatever you pick, make sure it's a chair that you love to sit in. Comfort is key!

Personally, we love our Dutailier glider--used it all the time for nursing, still use it for reading with preschoolers. (Actually, I also sit and glide when I'm reading alone.)

Friends of ours bought an IKEA poang chair to save space and be able to use it as a regular chair. We have one too, but I would never pick it over the glider--either for nursing or for reading to kids.

[Anonymous]

I started out using a rocking chair. It worked great at first, but once DD got to be about 5 months, she was so tall that the chair's high arms made it very difficult to nurse her comfortably. At that point I switched to the poang chair from Ikea. It's VERY comfortable and great to sit and read with DD now that she's older and bigger, but I will not use it to nurse DS. The seat is too low and reclined to get in and out of easily without having to readjust the baby. Also, the rocking is very fast and short--the chair is more springy; it doesn't actually rock.

I would recommend NOT getting a regular living room chair that you plan to repurpose later on. It'll probably get spit up on a number of times anyway before it makes it's way to your living room and the rocking motion is very helpful in soothing a fussing baby.

[Anonymous]

I loved my Dutalier glider--you will be sitting a lot while nursing/feeding, soothing baby, and it makes the time go by more easily when you're rocking. Especially at 2 AM. At 3 my son still likes to sit and rock with me before bed sometimes.

Nursing stool is key, agree with PP there--even if you don't get a rocker/glider. I tried using a friend's ottoman and didn't care for it, plus they take up a lot of space.

[Anonymous]

what about a nice Lazy Boy recliner rocker? You can be comfy, rock the baby and also recline to rest with feet up when baby sleeps.

[Anonymous]

We got a Dutalier glider with fabric that works for the nursery, but will also look normal in the corner of our living room someday.

[Anonymous]

the glider was a lifesaver for us in those hard nights when it was hard to get the kids to sleep. I love it.

[Anonymous]

I don't have either -- no room, but really wish I had the room for either.

[Anonymous]

I started out w/an oversized chair glider and hated it. We bought a LazyBoy recliner to replace it and it was the best purchase EVER!

Keep that in mind.