I Thought the Perfect Nursery Glider Didn’t Exist, Until I Bought This Chair (It’s My 3rd Glider and the Best By Far)

When it comes to furnishing your nursery, a nursery glider is one of the most important choices you’ll make as a parent. My first nursery chair was a gift from my family, a traditional rocker. My second was a recliner and a rocker. But it was the third and final chair that really put all the other options to shame. The Nurture& Glider Plus was everything I ever wanted in a chair for nursing and rocking my babies, easily earning my vote for best nursery glider.

Here’s why you should consider it if you are preparing your nursery, or know new parents who are.

New parents might have their heads spinning when they research nursery chairs. There’s gliding and rocking, swiveling and still chairs—and that’s just for starters. If you’re considering a nursery glider or rocker, here are some features to look for. (And, ideally, you’ll want to try before you buy.)

• Some sort of sliding, rocking, swiveling (or all three): Make sure your chair can do at least one to help lull your baby to sleep.
• Lumbar support: Postpartum can be a tough time on your back. Choose a chair that’s extra supportive, and at a comfortable angle for you.
• Supportive arm rests: Some new and trendier chairs look great, but then don’t give you enough arm support. Look for a chair with higher armrest measurements (but not too high!).
• Easy to clean: This is essential as there will be spit-up and spills and all manner of various bodily substances that come with parenting babies.
• Reclines and has a foot rest: You’re going to want to take a load off and prop up your feet as a new parent.
• Doesn’t creak: There’s nothing worse than getting a baby to sleep, only to go to stand up and wake them up with a loud chair.

• Name: The Glider Plus
• Type: Glider, swivel, recliner with powered lumbar support
• Current price: $1,149 (originally $1,199)
• Colors: Ivory, Gray or Boucle (a fuzzy white material)

I’ve spent countless hours rocking and nursing my baby and reading to my toddler in my Nurture& Glider Plus. I’ve used all of the positions of the chair, and my 5-year-old even occasionally shows up to push the buttons — always a favorite pastime. As someone who has a chronic spine condition, I’ve also paid close attention to how my back felt during and after using this chair for longer periods of time. Here’s what I loved (almost everything), plus a couple things I didn’t love as much.

• It’s exceptionally comfortable: If I had to pick between this chair and my bed, I’d actually pause and have to consider it. It rivals the comfort of my super comfortable bed. Luckily it has a built-in USB port to charge your phone, so you won’t have to get up — because you won’t want to. It also reclines and has a pop-up foot rest.
• It’s supportive. Whether you’ve had a C-section, have pain issues, or simply want to ensure your posture is correct, this chair accommodates each. Depending on how much lumbar support you want or don’t want), there are buttons (with a quiet motor feature) that allow you to easily make adjustments.
• It has enough room for squirmy babies and toddlers: If you’ve ever tried to nurse a squirming baby, you know you need a little room. The same is true for squirmy bottle-fed babies. There’s even enough for a small toddler to sit beside you, depending on your size and theirs!

• It holds up over time: While past chairs have started to lose their puffiness and support, this one is still the same as the first day. And, thanks to stain-resistant fabric, you can’t tell that this chair has had chocolate milk spilled on it. (P.S. I highly recommend requesting a swatch in advance of purchase, to ensure both the color and fabric seem like they’ll hold up in your space.)
• It‘s attractive. The Glider Plus is modern and looks great in multiple places, making it a sound investment whether you’re preparing for your first baby or upgrading your current chair for your last.

There are just two things that aren’t my favorite about this chair. 

• The armrest height: I’ve nursed in some chairs that are slightly more supportive of tired arms that have fallen asleep with a baby in them. Overall, though, these armrests get the job done and it’s not a deal breaker.
• The price: At over $1,000, the price might be a barrier for some families. However, I’d forego the dozens of onesies and pacifiers people bring to baby showers and register for just this, as a potential group gift (and diapers), if I had to start again. I also recommend watching for sales, or pairing it with matching nursery sets for a discount.

If you’re looking for a more affordable option, the brand has a few other chairs to consider, including the manual glider, and the regular glider (without adjustable lumbar support). Still, if it’s an option for you, The Glider Plus is the best nursery glider out there in my opinion and worth the splurge. After all, the baby won’t remember how cute their crib is — but you will remember how you felt rocking them each night.

For more nursery essentials, check out The 2024 Cubby Nursery Awards!