Glider Vs. Rocker: Which One Best Suits Your Needs?

One of the most important (and fun!) things you will do before your baby’s arrival is setting up your nursery! From bouncers and bassinets to changing tables and seating, there are a lot of decisions to make.

You will spend a lot of time sitting in the nursery once your baby arrives, so choosing a comfortable option is essential.

Gliders and rockers both have positive features and drawbacks, but how do you know which one is best for you? Many parents may not even realize there is a difference between the two until they start looking. So, to help you decide where you’ll spend late-night feedings and cuddle sessions, we cover the pros and cons of both gliders and rockers.

Gliders offer many advantages to the modern parent and are the perfect place to sit and snuggle your baby. A glider works by sitting on a fixed track and creating a smooth back and forth motion. This gentle gliding motion is much less aggressive than the movement that a rocker makes, which usually sits on arched legs.

Gliders are sleek in appearance and are available in various styles and colors. Because of their design, they can easily transition to the living room or den once your baby no longer needs it.

In addition, gliders often have matching ottomans for storage and for resting your tired feet! Typically, ottomans lock into place or sync to move when the glider moves.

One disadvantage of gliders is that they need ample space for proper movement. However, there are compact options available such as the Nurture& Swivel Glider. Another downside is that some gliders can pinch little fingers in the track, so be sure to purchase one with a locking mechanism.

However, the positive traits of gliders far outweigh the negative ones and indeed make them the ideal nursery chair. Gliders are more comfortable than traditional rockers. They offer wider seating and supportive armrests for bottle or breastfeeding, soft upholstery, and often have a recline option.

• Sleek and modern appearance
• Various style options
• Comfortable and wide seating
• Locking mechanism to prevent pinched fingers
• Fixed track for smoother movement
• Recline option
• Matching ottoman

• More costly than rockers
• They need ample space for proper movement.
• Heavy and difficult to move

Rocking chairs are old-fashioned and traditional pieces of furniture to add to your baby’s room. Rockers move by swaying front to back in a rolling motion on curved legs. The rocking motion is similar to the feeling of being in the womb and is extremely comforting to a new baby.

A rocking chair adds a classic touch to your nursery and, if passed down, has a sentimental or familial meaning a new chair cannot replicate.

Unfortunately, traditional rockers do not provide a reclining option and are usually not wide enough to accommodate nursing pillows.

Another downside to rockers is that they cannot be locked, which creates a danger to your little ones once they are crawling because they easily pinch fingers. In addition, they are much easier to topple because they are lighter than gliders.

Rockers have an extensive range of motion, even more so than a glider, so they don’t work well in small spaces. However, some babies enjoy the more significant movement a rocker can provide. Another drawback of a rocker’s motion is that rockers can also be noisy depending on your flooring.

• Classic look, traditional piece of furniture
• Lighter and easier to move or rearrange
• More affordable
• Larger range of movement, which some babies prefer

• No locking mechanism
• Less comfortable
• No recline option
• Easy to tip over
• Potentially noisy

Overall, most parents today prefer a glider over a rocking chair. Gliders are softer and roomier than rockers. Glider's smooth front-to-back motion is less bumpy than the motion from a rocker. In addition, some gliders swivel side to side, providing a more comprehensive range of motion.

While gliders that are not locked could pinch fingers, most come with a locking mechanism to prevent injury. A rocker, however, that cannot lock is a more significant danger to pets and children.

On average, newborns eat every two to three hours and eat for twenty to thirty minutes each time. Totaled that averages a minimum of six hours sitting a day, and that's before you add in snuggle time, reading, singing, and anything else you might do while seated! Therefore, comfort is essential.

Gliders are much more comfortable than rockers. They have plush cushions and often have a recline option with a footrest or matching ottoman.

For example, the Nurture& Glider Plus has power lumbar support and doubles as a glider recliner. In addition, Nurture& sells comfortable lumbar pillows and matching ottomans, made with the same non-toxic stain-resistant fabrics. Stain-resistant fabric makes cleaning spit-up and other messes a cinch!

In addition to all the top-notch features a glider offers, Nurture& Gliders have a power recline, adjustable headrests, and built-in USB charging ports.

Choosing the best nursery seating option for your needs is a significant decision and one that comes with a significant cost.

Therefore, it is essential that you understand the ins and outs of both gliders and rockers to make the best decision for your home. Much like swaddles comfort and soothe your baby, the perfect chair will provide a calming respite for you.

In most ways, gliders come out on top: they are more comfortable, safer, have more features, and transition easier from nursery to everyday use when your baby gets too old for a nursery.

You will spend countless, joy-filled, exhausting hours in your nursery seating, ultimately making it one of the most critical pre-baby decisions you need to make. So, as you sift through all the options, use this article as your guide to choosing the ideal nursery chair! Discover the variety of Gliders offered by Nurture&.