What to Look for in a Nursery Chair
Author: Stef Daniel
Decorating the nursery can be an exhilarating undertaking that serves to mentally prepare a new mother for the arrival of her baby. This is a time of holding onto visions of your future with your newest family member, and most moms cannot wait to feel the softness of a newborn in their arms. Part of that dream is rocking and lulling a fussy baby to sleep in ways that only a mother can do. Remember, this time in your child's life is priceless and fleeting; you should make plans to take full advantage of these intimate moments in every way possible. The perfect nursery chair can help!
Traditionally, rocking chairs were just that - wooden, hard, and uncomfortable chairs that rocked. Unfortunately, these left a lot to the imagination in ways of comfort and luxury, and they could easily pinch and squash little fingers that may be roaming around the nursery. If you must inherit a family heirloom, possibly the nursery chair your own mother used, prepare it with non-slip cushions that will make it more comfortable.
Modern day nursery chairs are usually plush and made to match nursery décor. They come in placid pinks and baby blues, and some are even upholstered in timeless baby motifs that make them a perfect fit in the nursery. Realize, of course, that in the years to come and possibly beforehand, you may want to move this chair into the living room. As pricey as they are, it is only wise to choose one that is covered in stain resistant and neutral fabrics which will blend in with other areas of your home.
Glider rocking nursery chairs have become the chair of choice for new mothers. The reasons are numerous. Not only do they provide a smooth rhythm of rocking motion that is quiet; they are also comfortable and easy to get in and out of with a baby in your arms. This is a big plus! Most gliders have padded and covered arm rests which help to relieve arm pain when nursing or bottle feeding a baby. The only disadvantage to choosing a gliding nursery chair is they tend to be a bit large and can take up a lot of space in the nursery. Shop around until you find one that is suitable for your space! Keep in mind that long after the infant years are behind you, your baby or toddler will still love to be rocked, perhaps while reading their favorite story, which a roomier chair will better accommodate. A nursery chair is definitely about providing a comfortable space for bonding that lasts both of you a lifetime.
There are, of course, other things to consider when purchasing a nursery chair! Before you commit to any chair, ensure that it meets these requirements!
- Comfortable and easy to get in and out of. Imagine doing with a baby in your arms!
- Stain resistant and desirable upholstery. You may want to look to see if it can easily be reupholstered in the future so it will fit into other areas of the home.
- No sharp points or exposed hardware on the chair. Check underneath as well, as soon you will have a crawling baby.
- Some newer chairs have locks that keep them from rocking. This is a great safety feature.
- Quiet and easy to perpetuate motion.
- A quality built hard wood frame and stable base to keep it from tipping. A matching ottoman can reduce pressure on knees and feet.
- Many newer chairs come with lumbar support, which is great for new moms who often suffer from lower back pain.
No matter what you choose, rocking your baby is a timeless act of motherhood that should be cherished. Holding onto a baby as they drift off to sleep in your arms is one of the first joys of motherhood, and you just may experience it in the chair that you choose! Make it a good one! This age old quote by Nancy Thayer says it all, "Who is getting more pleasure from all this rocking, baby or me?" Truth be told, your nursery chair should cause pleasure for both you and baby!
