Rocking Chair

Many new mothers choose glider rocking chairs as their number one tool for soothing their newborns. Gliders differ from your standard rocking chair in that they slide back and forth in a smooth motion. When there is a new child in the family these chairs are perfect for consoling a child that is crying as they are easy to get into and get out of. It has a stationary base on which the glider can swivel making it entirely accessible. The base is raised so that the swiveling motion doesn’t harm you floor. A glider rocking chair will cost sufficiently more than a typical wooden rocking chair as they are usually upholstered with full padding. There is little to distinguish them from a reclining chair, actually; and several come in kits that require assembly.

Standard costs of a swivel glider rocking chair:

• Your basic wooden glider with arm pads and cushioned seat may run from $120 to $480.
• Fully upholstered glider rockers most suited for nurseries start in the low $300 and go as high as $1200.
• Optional matching Ottomans may tack on an additional $200.
• Expect to pay substantially more for custom fabrics.

What to look for:

• Your glider should be able to lock into position to prohibit rocking as needed.
• There should be a manufacturer’s warranty covering your chair for at least 1 year.

Ideally you want your glider chair covered for 10 years as there are parts like bearings along the gliding frame that may need to be replaced.

Many stores can grant discounted rocking chairs and gliders paired with an ottoman, especially at clearance sales times. Regardless of what you pay, you will want to test the glider rocker to make sure you can enter and exit it easily. You want to make sure you have enough room in the chair if you plan on using it to nurse. Springs beneath the seat should attach to the cushions and connect to the frame. This will increase support and decrease shock. You may however opt for a detachable cushion for easy washing.

The Pros And Cons Of A Glider Rocking Chair

Rocking chair gliders will not only help soothe your baby, but can offer you plenty of relaxation in times of stress. It’s been proven that the rocking motion reduces stress and relieves minor pain and aches. There are more advantages to owning a glider rocking chair over a standard rocker, and very few disadvantages.

For one they move on suspension tracks, which move you back and forth instead of up and down. You don’t tilt back when you rock either; your body stays in the upright position. You do use your feet to rock yourself but it’s an easier push than the effort used to move a rocking chair and you can do it with your feet in the reclined position if your chair comes with an ottoman. If it does the ottoman will rock along in the same motion to make it easier to control. They don’t exactly rock like a traditional antique your grandparent’s had, but rather move along these slides to create a rocking motion. For some people this is a preferred method, while others prefer the old fashioned rocking. Another advantage over the traditional way of rocking is that the mechanical parts are hidden so children or pets can’t get fingers, toes or paws “rocked” over. The downside is that these parts wear down and eventually need to be replaced if not taken care of properly. One thing that happens when the bearings wear down is that the chair will start to creak. This doesn’t help a mother trying to rock her child to sleep. In most cases maintenance means adding just a little oil to the bearings to keep them lubricated. Rocking chair gliders also have a swivel base to allow you to rotate in each direction and get out of the chair easier if you have disabilities.

The only real disadvantage to owning a reclining glider rocking chair is the weight. I would liken it to the bulk of a sleeper sofa. The wood frame and mechanical parts make this a bulky chair that can be a bear to move. This can also add to shipping charges when having one delivered.

A Brief History of Glider Rocking Chairs

They certainly don’t have the history of their predecessors as they have only been in existence since 1930 created as an oak glider rocking chair. It is based on a platform rocking chair where the rocking motion is delivered through a four bar linking track that runs along the chair’s base. It’s a non-parallel apparatus whose suspension allows it to move back and forth.

The swivel base was added in the 1960s by an American furniture maker. This allowed the chair to increase its mobility from merely rocking back and forth to rotating 180 degrees in both directions.