The Best Nursing Chairs

These pieces of furniture were designed specifically for feeding your baby. They’re wider and lower than most normal chairs or armchairs, giving you more flexibility to find the best and most supportive position when breastfeeding or giving your baby a bottle. They also often have padded, fabric-covered arms for additional comfort and support. Many of them glide or rock to help you soothe your baby to sleep in your arms.

Buying Guide for Nursing Chairs

Why should you buy a nursing chair?

While not a strict necessity, many new and experienced parents find a nursing chair a worthwhile addition to their newborn’s nursery. Besides being a comfy and convenient place to feed a baby, quite a few nursing chairs double as rocking chairs or at least glide back and forth, so they can help soothe a fussy infant to sleep. Many models come with a built-in or accompanying footstool or ottoman so that parents can put their feet up while feeding or rocking their baby.

Whether you purchase a chair for a nursery or a living room, you’ll have a cozy and soothing place to go when it’s time to feed and bond with your little one.

What should you consider when shopping for a nursing chair?

• Comfort: The main purpose of a nursing chair is to provide the parent with as comfortable a place to sit as possible. There should be a decent balance between softness and support. Think about how tall you want the headrest, armrests, and footrest. Do you want a wide model for extra room to maneuver or stretch out? What sort of fabric feels most comfortable to you? Also keep an eye out for a nursing chair with lumbar support, as this is both more comfortable and more supportive.
• Stationary vs. Motion: Quite a few nursing chairs have either rocking or gliding properties to help rock your baby to sleep or calm them when they’re fussing. The difference between the two is that rockers sway in an arc, but gliders move back and forth on a fixed track. Some gliders even swivel. Gliders are smoother, and since they don’t raise off the ground, they won’t accidentally come down on toes or fingers while moving. This makes them a bit of a safer choice for you if you have other small children in the house. Or you may prefer the stability of a stationary nursing chair that doesn’t move at all.
• Convenience: Some will have storage pockets in the arms to give you a convenient place to hold bottles, burping cloths, and other essentials. Some nursing chairs will be covered with waterproof and/or stain-resistant fabric that increases their durability and makes them that much easier to clean. This is an especially useful feature since most nursing chairs can only be spot cleaned. Also consider how much assembly the nursing chair will require.

How easy are nursing chairs to clean?

This is an important consideration because messes are more common in a nursing chair versus a regular piece of furniture, thanks to the higher risk of spills and spit-ups. Some nursing chairs will be covered with waterproof and/or stain-resistant fabric that increases their durability and makes them that much easier to clean. This is an especially useful feature since most nursing chairs can only be spot cleaned.

Our Picks for the Best Nursing Chairs

Pros: Whether you’re looking for the perfect chair for a nursery theme or want to add a chair to another living space in your home, this nursing glider will fit gorgeously, especially with 16 color options to choose from. The cushions are made of polyester, making them not only comfortable but easy to clean. Each armrest has a pocket over the side, so you can easily store and reach a book, iPad, or phone. Metal ball bearings make for a smooth glide, and a spacious seat allows for plenty of room for both you and your little one as they grow. The ottoman is a partner in comfort that is often overlooked, but it makes a big difference and can help you find a variety of comfortable positions. The chair is easy to assemble with clear instructions.

Cons: The cushions may not feel as comfortable as others. The weight limit is 250 pounds, which isn’t always accommodating for adults with a growing baby/toddler to use.

Bottom Line: This nursing chair and ottoman set can fit perfectly in your nursery theme or main living space thanks to the wide variety of base and cushion color combinations. With a roomy seat and easy-to-clean cushions, you can get comfortable and not worry too much about spills. The over-the-arm pockets can keep reading materials and belongings within reach if you decide to relax with your little one in the chair after they’re asleep. If you oil the bearings and clean the cushions as needed, this nursing glider can withstand years of regular use.

 

Pros: The glider chair has a high back, so you can rest your head during calm, bonding time with your child. The metal base provides easy forward and back gliding, and it swivels for maximum comfort and convenience. The accompanying ottoman allows you to put your feet up, bend your knees, or find another comfy position while feeding your child. This set also includes a lumbar pillow for added support. The duo comes in six color options to fit your decor theme. Feel at peace that your baby is breathing clean air because this nursery set is Greenguard Gold Certified, meaning that the fabric doesn’t release any chemical emissions or VOCs. The weight limit of the chair is 300 pounds.

Cons: When your baby is smaller, this chair will be cozy, but once they’re bigger, it can feel cramped, as it’s only 25 inches wide. The metal glider and swivel may need to be oiled more often to keep it from squeaking.

Bottom Line: Glide or swivel in comfort while you feed and soothe your baby with this chair and ottoman set. The high back provides extra support for your neck. While the chair is cozy for snuggles with a newborn baby, it can begin to feel cramped as your little one grows.

 

Pros: When you’re preparing for a new baby, your house often fills up with baby items. This comfortable rocking chair for nursing or soothing your baby won’t look out of place in your home. In fact, when your little one is grown, you could still keep it around for an extra seat. It’s simple yet stylish and comes in two neutral colors. Polyester cushions are easy to spot clean if you catch a spill right away, and it gives a clean look with the solid walnut wood base. The high and ergonomic back of the chair is supportive for you, too, which is really important since you’ll need as much rest as you can get. Assembly is easy, so you can enjoy the chair right away.

Cons: It doesn’t come with an ottoman, so if you want one, you’ll have to purchase it separately. Like many lightweight rocking chairs, this one travels on the floor.

Bottom Line: If you want your nursing chair to fit within the rest of your home decor, this is a mid-century modern option that will look great. Its high back is supportive, so you can rest while you soothe your little one. To ensure you can clean up any stain or spill, try to get to it right away. Using the chair on a rug or carpet may keep it from shifting during use.

 

Pros: If there’s ever a time and place to put your feet up after a busy day or wakeful night, it’s with this gliding chair. The chair and ottoman can glide synchronously, or you can fold out a stable footrest in the shape of a ramp for even more versatility. With the comfy seat, a gliding ottoman, and the footrest, you’ll have plenty of options to find your perfect position for feeding or calming your little one no matter the time of day (or night). The soft polyester fabric is easy to spot clean for your convenience.

Cons: This chair and ottoman set is only available in one color. It may begin to creak after some use.

Bottom Line: This is an affordable glider chair that is comfortable for nursing or soothing your baby, especially with the footstool feature. The cushions wipe clean easily, which is excellent for the occasional spill or spit-up. Unfortunately, this chair has limitations, and with only one color to choose from, the ability to tie it into your other decor is one of them.

 

Pros: Not sure what movement you prefer in your nursing chair? With this comfortable and modern option, you don’t have to choose. It can glide forward and backward, rock gently, and swivel 360 degrees. The wooden frame is sturdy, and the metal base makes for smooth movement, so your baby can stay settled. This chair is available in three neutral colors to fit seamlessly into any nursery theme. The cushions are easy to spot clean, and unlike most nursing chairs, the bottom cushion can be removed for more thorough cleaning. The chair is straightforward to assemble and is done in minutes.

Cons: While the movement is smooth, the chair is noisy and is hard to keep from squeaking or creaking. This chair has the lightest weight limit on this list of 225 pounds and is smaller than other options. It doesn’t come with an ottoman, so you’ll have to look for one separately.

Bottom Line: Find what movement makes you and your baby the most comfortable for feeding and soothing with this nursing chair that does it all: rocks, glides, and swivels. This chair’s seat cushion comes out for easy cleaning. This chair is smaller and has a lighter weight capacity than most, so it may be better suited for those with a more petite build.

Final Thoughts

Feeding and soothing your baby are two of many tasks that you’ll be doing a lot as a new parent. To make these times comfortable and more enjoyable, these nursing chairs can be an excellent investment for your growing family.