April 2007
Rocking chairs & gliders
If you’ve considered buying a rocking chair but aren’t sure you’ll use it, or are turned off by the grandmotherly image, think
again. Babies and rocking chairs go together like macaroni and cheese. The rocking motion of the chair will add to the soothing
effect your baby feels when being held, and there’s nothing better for you for quick catnaps, those 3 a.m. feedings, and snuggling
in to read to your little one.
Basic hardwood rocking chairs have been around for ages. A glider is an updated version that’s designed to slide forward and backward rather than rock in an arc. Some also swivel. Most gliders come with cushions. An ottoman you can prop your feet on is also available as a stand-alone item and is purely optional, so don’t feel like you’re missing out if you skip it. Some ottomans are stationary while others glide back and forth with their matching gliders.
SHOPPING SECRETS
Test it in the store. This is an item you don’t want to research solely on the Internet (although you can certainly buy online if you know what you’re getting). Sit in the chair and rock or glide away. That’s the best way to tell if a chair’s seat fits your bottom and if it’s comfortable.
Determine the model, then finish, fabric, and whether or not you want an ottoman. Making your buying decisions in that order may make shopping easier. If you’re looking for a glider, here are some basic questions that can help you find the right model for your needs: Do you want it to recline? Swivel? Do you want a traditional look, or sleigh-style? Then focus on finish (white, natural, maple, and cherry are common finishes), then fabric, and so on.
Go for a darker color. Stay away from natural beige or pastel fabrics. Furniture fabric can appear soiled from just normal wear and tear. And, of course, washable fabrics are a plus.
Check under the seat. “You want to make sure the fabric underneath the seat cushion has springs attached to it,” says Seth Berger, director of operations of Kids Home Furnishings, a baby-to-teen furniture store, in Stamford, Conn. You may find four small springs that secure a bottom piece of fabric to the chair frame. That’s good. The underbelly of the seat shouldn’t be just fabric glued to a frame. You won’t have much support or shock absorption.
Ask about warranties. If you choose a glider, you’ll want to know if the bearings, which run the gliding mechanism, have a warranty. They take the brunt of a person’s weight over time. Ten years is a good warranty length, although a lifetime warranty is better (although that’s not the case for all baby products).
Get a rocker or glider with a generously wide seat and arms that won’t hem you in. Both these features are especially important if you plan to use a nursing pillow (a Boppy). And with a baby on board, you’ll need the room. Practice in the store with a display-model nursing pillow or your baby to make sure you’re both a good fit in the chair. Well-padded armrests on a glider may be all you need to support and comfortably feed your baby, negating the need for a Boppy.
Choose a glider that locks in place if you have a toddler or if you have only a newborn now but plan to have more than one child. You don’t want to be gliding when you’re feeding your newborn if there’s a curious toddler underfoot; little fingers can get caught in the gliding mechanism. You’ll also want to lock it to keep your toddler safe when you’re not around.
WHAT’S AVAILABLE
The major brands of rocking chairs and gliders, in alphabetical order, are: Angel Line (www.angelline.com), Best Chairs (www.bestchairs.com), Dutailier (www.dutailier.com), Foundations (www.foundations.com), Shermag (www.shermag.com), and Storkcraft (www.storkcraft.com). Rocking chairs and gliders generally range from $150 to $400. You’ll pay even more for gliders in custom fabrics and classic, spindle rocking chairs, which are available at high-end retailers such as Posh Tots (www.poshtots.com) In general, a higher price tag reflects solid wood construction. In gliders, you’ll probably get more durable, cushier cushions; a higher-quality gliding system; a spring-supported seat; and a positional lock you can use to keep it from gliding. Some gliders even recline, which can come in handy for re-energizing catnaps. Although you get what you pay for, you don’t have to go whole hog. There’s quality and solid construction in the midrange, as well.
RECOMMENDATIONS
If in doubt, choose a glider over a rocker. Gliders are more comfortable, and you’ll use one more than you think. They also dominate the market, so you’ll have more to choose from. Secondhand is an option, but look for the same features you’d want in a new chair, such as a locking mechanism, and make sure it still works. If you buy new, allow plenty of time for the chair to arrive before your baby is born. Although many baby Web sites and stores have gliders in stock, gliders with custom-fabric cushions have to be ordered. Allow up to 10 weeks for delivery. Minimal assembly may be required. A glider can feel like a splurge, but if you’re having a baby shower, why not put a glider on your wish list? It’s an expensive item, but friends and family may chip in as a group.
Basic hardwood rocking chairs have been around for ages. A glider is an updated version that’s designed to slide forward and backward rather than rock in an arc. Some also swivel. Most gliders come with cushions. An ottoman you can prop your feet on is also available as a stand-alone item and is purely optional, so don’t feel like you’re missing out if you skip it. Some ottomans are stationary while others glide back and forth with their matching gliders.
SHOPPING SECRETS
Test it in the store. This is an item you don’t want to research solely on the Internet (although you can certainly buy online if you know what you’re getting). Sit in the chair and rock or glide away. That’s the best way to tell if a chair’s seat fits your bottom and if it’s comfortable.
Determine the model, then finish, fabric, and whether or not you want an ottoman. Making your buying decisions in that order may make shopping easier. If you’re looking for a glider, here are some basic questions that can help you find the right model for your needs: Do you want it to recline? Swivel? Do you want a traditional look, or sleigh-style? Then focus on finish (white, natural, maple, and cherry are common finishes), then fabric, and so on.
Go for a darker color. Stay away from natural beige or pastel fabrics. Furniture fabric can appear soiled from just normal wear and tear. And, of course, washable fabrics are a plus.
Check under the seat. “You want to make sure the fabric underneath the seat cushion has springs attached to it,” says Seth Berger, director of operations of Kids Home Furnishings, a baby-to-teen furniture store, in Stamford, Conn. You may find four small springs that secure a bottom piece of fabric to the chair frame. That’s good. The underbelly of the seat shouldn’t be just fabric glued to a frame. You won’t have much support or shock absorption.
Ask about warranties. If you choose a glider, you’ll want to know if the bearings, which run the gliding mechanism, have a warranty. They take the brunt of a person’s weight over time. Ten years is a good warranty length, although a lifetime warranty is better (although that’s not the case for all baby products).
Get a rocker or glider with a generously wide seat and arms that won’t hem you in. Both these features are especially important if you plan to use a nursing pillow (a Boppy). And with a baby on board, you’ll need the room. Practice in the store with a display-model nursing pillow or your baby to make sure you’re both a good fit in the chair. Well-padded armrests on a glider may be all you need to support and comfortably feed your baby, negating the need for a Boppy.
Choose a glider that locks in place if you have a toddler or if you have only a newborn now but plan to have more than one child. You don’t want to be gliding when you’re feeding your newborn if there’s a curious toddler underfoot; little fingers can get caught in the gliding mechanism. You’ll also want to lock it to keep your toddler safe when you’re not around.
WHAT’S AVAILABLE
The major brands of rocking chairs and gliders, in alphabetical order, are: Angel Line (www.angelline.com), Best Chairs (www.bestchairs.com), Dutailier (www.dutailier.com), Foundations (www.foundations.com), Shermag (www.shermag.com), and Storkcraft (www.storkcraft.com). Rocking chairs and gliders generally range from $150 to $400. You’ll pay even more for gliders in custom fabrics and classic, spindle rocking chairs, which are available at high-end retailers such as Posh Tots (www.poshtots.com) In general, a higher price tag reflects solid wood construction. In gliders, you’ll probably get more durable, cushier cushions; a higher-quality gliding system; a spring-supported seat; and a positional lock you can use to keep it from gliding. Some gliders even recline, which can come in handy for re-energizing catnaps. Although you get what you pay for, you don’t have to go whole hog. There’s quality and solid construction in the midrange, as well.
RECOMMENDATIONS
If in doubt, choose a glider over a rocker. Gliders are more comfortable, and you’ll use one more than you think. They also dominate the market, so you’ll have more to choose from. Secondhand is an option, but look for the same features you’d want in a new chair, such as a locking mechanism, and make sure it still works. If you buy new, allow plenty of time for the chair to arrive before your baby is born. Although many baby Web sites and stores have gliders in stock, gliders with custom-fabric cushions have to be ordered. Allow up to 10 weeks for delivery. Minimal assembly may be required. A glider can feel like a splurge, but if you’re having a baby shower, why not put a glider on your wish list? It’s an expensive item, but friends and family may chip in as a group.
|
GLIDER IN DISGUISE |
