The Best Gliders for Your Nursery, According to a Pediatrician & an Interior Designer
Picture this: it’s 2:00AM and you’re headed to your baby’s nursery, bleary-eyed, to feed your little one. At least you know that when you get there, the most comfy seat in the house will be waiting for you both. That’s the thinking behind investing in the best glider for your nursery. It’s a decision that […]
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Picture this: it’s 2:00AM and you’re headed to your baby’s nursery, bleary-eyed, to feed your little one. At least you know that when you get there, the most comfy seat in the house will be waiting for you both. That’s the thinking behind investing in the best glider for your nursery. It’s a decision that can make or break those late nights and every other precious moment you’ll spend nursing, reading and bonding with your babe.
Top Nursery Gliders at a Glance
Best Overall: Abingdon Upholstered Swivel Reclining Glider, $267 (originally $891)
Best Electronic: Delta Children Mercer Electronic Power Recliner and Swivel Glider with USB Port, $500
Best Stain-Resistant: Babyletto Poe Channeled Swivel Glider, $600
Best with Washable Covers: Ever Slipcovered Striped Nursery Glider Chair by Leanne Ford, $1,199
Best with Storage: Carter’s by DaVinci Adrian Swivel Glider with Storage Ottoman, $499
Best with USB Port: Nurture& The Glider Plus, $1,099
Best for Back Support: Crawford Pillowback Chair and a Half Upholstered Swivel Glider, $799
Best for Upholstery Options: Pottery Barn Kids Dream Manual & Power Swivel Glider Recliner, $1,099+
Best for Small Spaces: Delta Children Blair Slim Nursery Glider Swivel Rocker Chair, $290
Best Affordable: Kurhwyss Swivel Glider Chair, $165 (originally $180)
Best Splurge: Dream Deluxe Power Swivel Recliner with Heat and Massage, $1,999+
A glider, for the uninitiated, is a chair that moves back and forth on a fixed track. Gliders may also swivel and rock, and some gliders even recline. They’re the preferred type of nursery seating because of their ability to help soothe babies and keep parents comfortable. “In the first weeks of life, babies are typically feeding eight to 12 times a day, and for 15 to 20 minutes a feed, so it is really useful to have a comfortable place to [nurse],” says board-certified pediatrician Dr. Jessica Hochman to SheKnows.
What to Look for in a Nursery Glider, According to Experts
First and foremost, look for a glider that will be comfortable for you, notes Dr. Hochman, who hosts the family health podcast Ask Jessica. Luckily, there are plenty of kinds of gliders for various comfort and style preferences, whether that means extra cushioning or a compact footprint.
“Back support is also an important consideration. A supportive back rest with proper lumbar support is helpful, especially during breastfeeding or bottle feeding sessions,” notes Dr. Hochman. “Consider a glider with removable and easy-to-clean fabric, as spills, spit up and messes will happen,” she adds.
Interior designer and Little Crown Interiors founder Naomi Coe prefers upholstered gliders over wood frame gliders for style, comfort and safety reasons. “Make sure you account for the space that the glider needs to move back and forth. They need to sit away from the wall and have room to swivel or rock,” she says. And if you have the budget, shoot for the stars. “Gliders have come a long way! Many even have power now so they can charge your phone, and some have motorized reclining mechanisms.”
Do You Absolutely Need a Glider for Your Nursery?
“Gliders can be super handy, but they are not a necessity as long as there is some place to sit to rock, feed and soothe the baby,” notes Coe, who just released a book, Your Perfect Nursery, to help parents furnish and decorate their baby’s room. “Ideally, if there is space, it’s great to have a glider in the nursery. That way, the crib is close at hand and you can keep everything contained to the nursery.”
“Babies also enjoy gliders,” Dr. Hochman points out. “They offer a gentle rocking motion to help babies relax and fall back asleep. While not strictly necessary, many parents find gliders to be a valuable investment in creating a nurturing environment for their infant.”
SheKnows senior commerce director, Gina Vaynshteyn, who is currently expected, knew she wanted to invest in a glider for the nursery. “This was a must for me: I need somewhere comfortable to sit while I feed my daughter, and I don’t want that to be the bed, even though we’re going to have a bassinet right next to us in the bedroom. I’m afraid of falling asleep, and that can be a really unsafe situation, so I invested in a glider in her room.” She adds, “I’ve actually been working in that glider every day, and it’s so comfortable! TBD on how it’ll go when Baby arrives, but I love my purchase.”
Too busy to research your nursery glider options? We did the work for you. Here are 11 standouts.
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Abingdon Upholstered Swivel Reclining Glider
This swiveling, reclining glider is so good it has more than 7,600 five-star reviews on Wayfair. Customers love that it’s firm with a soft velvet upholstery (one colorway comes in linen) and that it seems to fit parents of all heights. The modern, clean-lined chair is also an incredible deal at less than $300 on sale. Spills wipe clean easily.
Dimensions: 39.5” H X 33” W X 35.5” D
Colors available: 5
Material: Polyester blend
Swivels: 360 degrees
Reclines? Yes
Weight: 92 lbs.
Weight Capacity: 225 lbs.
Pros:
Full swivel
Multiple reclining positions
Easy to Clean
Easy assembly
Cons:
Some say the manual reclining mechanism is hard to maneuver
No organic certifications
Delta Children Mercer Power Recliner and Swivel Glider with USB Port
Delta Children has has elevated nursery gliders to a new level with this power-controlled chair that electronically reclines, giving you one less thing to deal with when handling a fussy newborn. It even has a USB charging port so you can scroll on your iPad or play lullabies from your phone. The comfy, padded recliner is even decked out in water- and stain-repellent fabric, perfect for nursing.
Dimensions: 39.25″ H x 26.25″ W x 35.5″ D
Colors available: 1
Material: LiveSmart fabric (polyester)
Swivels: 240 degrees
Reclines? Yes
Weight: 103.75 lbs.
Weight Capacity: 250 lbs.
Pros:
Electronic
USB charging port
Easy to clean
Cons:
Only one color
No organic certifications
Babyletto Poe Channeled Swivel Glider
When you see a midcentury-inspired (white!) velvet chair like this one, “stain-resistant” is probably not the first phrase that comes to mind. But this Babyletto glider is wrapped in water- and stain-repellent performance fabric made from recycled plastic bottles and recycled polyester yarn. The result is a super cozy swivel glider that’s the centerpiece of your stylish nursery — and a clean one at that. It’s been Greenguard Gold certified to be free of 10,000 chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and it’s CertiPUR-US certified, so it’s flame-resistant without using flame retardants and contains no heavy metals, formaldehyde, CFCs, or phthalates.
Dimensions: 36.5″ H x 30.5″W x 35″D
Colors available: 3
Material: LiveSmart fabric (polyester)
Swivels: 360 degrees
Reclines? No
Weight: 77 lbs.
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
Certifications:
Greenguard Gold
CertiPUR-US
Forest Stewardship Council
Pros:
Swivels fully
Stain-resistant
Eco-friendly
Retro look
Cons:
Doesn’t recline
Ever Slipcovered Striped Nursery Glider Chair by Leanne Ford
If stain-repellent is not enough and you want a glider with removable, machine-washable slip covers, get your hands on this chair from Crate & Kids in collaboration with designer Leanne Ford. The cottage-inspired glider is made using FSC-certified wood from responsibly managed forests and is Greenguard Gold-certified. It even has a matching ottoman sold separately.
Dimensions: 36″ W x 36.25″ D x 40.5″H
Colors available: 2
Material:
Upholstery: 70% polyester, 20% rayon, 10% linen
Slipcovers: Cotton
Swivels: 360 degrees
Reclines? No
Weight:
Weight Capacity:
Certifications:
GREENGUARD Gold
Forest Stewardship Council
Pros:
Swivels fully
Easy to clean
Eco-friendly
Cons:
Doesn’t recline
Pricey
Carter's by DaVinci Adrian Swivel Glider with Storage Ottoman
If you have storage solutions on the (mommy) brain, then this two-piece set with glider and storage ottoman should be in your cart. Both pieces are upholstered in performance linen, so they’re water- and stain-repellent. This glider set also earned not one but three coveted organic certifications.
Dimensions:
32″D x 25″W x 37.5″H
Colors available: 1
Material: Performance linen (95% polyester, 5% nylon)
Swivels: 360 degrees
Reclines? No
Weight: 44 lbs.
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
Certifications:
GREENGUARD Gold
CertiPUR-US
Forest Stewardship Council
Pros:
Easy to clean
Eco-friendly
Storage
Cons:
Smaller width
Only one color available
Nurture& The Glider Plus
This glider is for all you parents who want to rock your baby to sleep in one arm while streaming videos in the other. It has a built-in USB port strategically located on the outside of the chair where your baby can’t accidentally kick it. It has an adjustable head support and lumbar support, and it doubles as a power recliner so you can really get comfortable. It’s also made with non-toxic materials, repels water and stains and meets several safety standards and organic certifications.
Dimensions: 42.9″H x 33.3″W x 40″D
Colors available: 3
Material: 96% polyester, 4% nylon
Swivels: 200 degrees
Reclines? Yes
Weight: 124 lbs.
Weight Capacity: 330 lbs.
Certifications:
Forest Stewardship Council
ASTM Safety Standards
Prop 65 compliant
TB117-2013 and UFAC (fabric compliant)
TSCA Title VI compliant
Pros:
USB port
Power-operated
Reclines
Easy to clean
Eco-friendly
Cons:
Pricey
Crawford Pillowback Chair and a Half Upholstered Swivel Glider
Pregnancy can take a toll on your back, but this pillowback glider will provide the cushioning and support you require at this stage. In addition to a plush pillowback, it comes with a lumbar pillow and a generous 30-inch seat width. Its upholstery repels stains and water and is made using recycled plastic bottles and recycled yarn.
Dimensions: 37.5” H X 39” W X 34.75” D
Colors available: 1
Material:
LiveSmart performance fabric (polyester)
30% REPREVE® recycled yarn
Swivels: 360 degrees
Reclines? No
Weight: 77 lbs.
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
Certifications:
Greenguard Gold
CertiPUR-US
Forest Stewardship Council
Pros:
Back support
Generously sized
Eco-friendly
Easy to clean
Cons:
Doesn’t recline
Pottery Barn Kids Dream Manual & Power Swivel Glider Recliner
You may have noticed by now that most nursery gliders come in white, cream and varying shades of grey with one or two fabric options. This Dream glider by Pottery Barn Kids, however, comes in your choice of more than 50 (!) upholstery options (four are in stock and ready to ship, and the rest are made to order). So if your design aesthetic is dominating this decision, you can opt for shades of pink, blue, green and so much more in a variety of weaves including chenilles, linens and basketweaves and even eco-performance fabrics. Oh, and it’s comfortable, consciously made and even has a USB port. Choose from manual or power options.
Dimensions: 40″ H x 33″ W x 37″ D
Colors available: 52
Material: Various
Swivels: 360 degrees
Reclines? Yes, in three positions
Weight:
Manual: 95 lbs.
Power: 110 lbs.
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
Any Certifications:
GREENGUARD Gold
Pros:
Many upholstery options
USB port
Reclines
Eco-friendly
Easy to clean
Cons:
Pricey
Delta Children Blair Slim Nursery Glider Swivel Rocker Chair
Tight on space? This Slim glider by Delta Children is the perfect pick. The brand cut down on dimensions for this cozy little chair so it’ll fit in smaller nooks, but it still has all the comfort features you love, like ample cushioning and a smooth glide, rock and 360-degree swivel. It’s also made of easy-to-clean materials. The cushion is removable so it’s even easier to clean.
Dimensions: 26.50″ W x 36″ H x 31.50″ D
Colors available: 2
Material: Woven microfiber
Swivels: 360 degrees
Reclines? Yes
Weight: 68 lbs.
Weight Capacity: 225 lbs.
Certifications: None
Pros:
Smaller footprint
Removable cushion
Reclines
Cons:
No organic certifications
Not stain- or water-resistant
Kurhwyss Swivel Glider Chair
Gliders can be costly, and cost may be a legitimate concern when designing your nursery. We’ve got you covered with this Amazon glider that’s just $165 (with on-page coupon) but doesn’t skimp on any of the important stuff. First and foremost, it’s thickly padded (even the arm rests), ergonomic and sturdy. It swivels 360 degrees and has something the other gliders don’t: a storage pocket. In nubby boucle upholstery, it’s positively chic.
Dimensions: 26.77″D x 27.95″W x 39.37″H
Colors available: 6
Material: Boucle
Swivels: 360 degrees
Reclines? No
Weight: 58.4 lbs.
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
Certifications: None
Pros:
Affordable
Swivels fully
Storage pocket
Slim profile
Cons:
Doesn’t recline
Not eco-friendly
Dream Deluxe Power Swivel Recliner with Heat and Massage
If you’re in a position to treat yourself, do so with this absolute wonder: the Dream Deluxe Power Swivel Recliner, a power recliner that has a heated back cushion and comes with automatic shut-off for safety. It has three remote-controlled massage functions, too, and you can even raise and lower the seat to accommodate different height preferences. It has an adjustable headrest and three reclining positions. And yes, of course this powerhouse is equipped with a USB port. Like all Pottery Barn Kids gliders, it comes in a variety of upholstery options, too. This one truly has it all.
Dimensions: 33.5″ W x 39.5″ D x 42″ H
Colors available: 36
Material: Various
Swivels: 240 degrees
Reclines? Yes, in three positions
Weight: 140 lbs.
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
Certifications:
GREENGUARD Gold
Forest Stewardship Council
Pros:
Massage and heat functions
Power-operated
Adjustable seat and headrest
Three reclining positions
USB port
Eco-friendly
Variety of upholstery options
Cons:
Pricey
Doesn’t swivel fully
Experts in This Article
Dr. Jessica Hochman: Board-certified pediatrician
Naomi Coe: Little Crown Interiors founder