The best nursing chairs

(Image credit: Unsplash)

Decisions, decisions. Feeling like you’ve made the right choice for your child is one of the hardest aspects of parenting. And a particularly tricky area is working out how best to feed your baby. You’ll hear cases made for both breast and bottle, but regardless of the route you go down, what unites parents is the need for a comfortable spot to do said feeding, which is where specialist nursing chairs come in.  

For breastfeeding mothers in particular, good posture and a relaxed frame of mind can make all the difference when it comes to successfully feeding your baby. And as not all nursing chairs feature ergonomic design, you should look out for models that offer ample back and arm support. 

Cosy fabrics and the ability to rock and to prop your feet up are a plus, but most importantly, you want to avoid feeling any neck, back or shoulder strain once baby’s in position. You may find that you also need a specialist feeding cushion to get fully comfortable.

While some question the need for a nursing chair, it must be said that there’s something special about having a designated feeding space where you and your baby can bond – and where you can perfect your technique in the early days. Bottle-feeding parents, too, will look forward to settling into a comfy chair to feed, as it’s a precious time to connect and have cuddles with their little one. 

Beyond feeding, these chairs are still incredibly useful, with many families continuing to use their nursing chair to rock older kids to sleep or as a place to snuggle up for story time. 

(Image credit: Amazon)

Baxton Studio Yashiya

An intriguing mix of modern and retro styling with extra support

Reasons to buy

+
Ergonomic
+
Compact
+
Elegant design

Reasons to avoid

-
Pricey

Not only is the Yashiya easy on the eye, but it also offers you the reassurance of ergonomic arm height, along with a high, upright back that encourages good posture, and provides you with a place to rest your head. 

A solid wood finish in walnut gives this chair a made-to-last, polished look that will enhance any room you place it in. It’s functional, yet compact, meaning it’s suitable for smaller spaces. What's more, being a rocking chair, your little one *should* drift off in no time.

(Image credit: Amazon)

Storkcraft Hoop Glider and Ottoman Set

A classic gliding nursing chair with plenty of room

Reasons to buy

+
Spacious
+
Storage pockets

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Could crowd smaller rooms

Being a larger option, there’s abundant space for you and your little one(s) to get comfy in this chair. Bolstered with soft, padded cushions including on the arm rests, you and baby can nestle cosily in. 

The fact this chair glides rather than rocks means a smoother ride, while the matching ottoman, or foot stool, glides along with the seat. You’ll love the storage pockets, which are great for stuffing muslin cloths and other feeding paraphernalia into.

(Image credit: Amazon)

SoBuy FST18

A sleek, affordable choice with the option to make adjustments

Reasons to buy

+
Budget-friendly
+
Washable cover
+
Highly adjustable footrest

Reasons to avoid

-
Might need cushions for added comfort

There’s no doubt the SoBuy FST18 is a very inviting chair: everything about it seems to say relaxation. It’s permanently in recline and has a five-way adjustable footrest that will delight tired mums and dads. 

The seat also comes with a handy side pocket for keeping necessities within arm’s reach, and offers a removable (and washable) cover, which is ideal considering how much use you could get out of this chair. A unique design feature of the FST18 is the mats on the bottom of it, which will protect hardwood floors.

(Image credit: Amazon)

Dutailier Modern Glider

Built for breastfeeding – this glider will go the distance

Reasons to buy

+
Additional nursing features
+
Reclining backrest
+
Pre-assembled

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive

As well as padded arm rests and a separate foot stool, a strong feature of this nursing glider is its adjustable back rest, enabling you to get just the right amount of recline. 

Other bonuses include a footstool that not only glides, but is specifically designed for breastfeeding, with an additional flip-out footrest offering the chance to raise your knees and get even more comfortable for nursing. 

This chair also comes nearly completely pre-assembled, meaning one less thing to build (phew!) and has the added benefit of a 5-year warranty.

(Image credit: Amazon)

Homcom Luxury Leather Recliner

A multifunctional chair with a raft of cool features

Reasons to buy

+
Vibrates
+
Heated seat 
+
Easy-clean

Reasons to avoid

-
Bulky

The wildcard entry! This cozy leather recliner from Homcom is marketed as a multi-use chair suitable for everything from nursing to gaming. And while it might look out of place in a nursery, it is ideal for people who want a chair that will long outlast the baby days. 

Offering a wealth of features including the ability to rock and swivel, the chair also has storage pockets, two drink holders, an in-built footrest, and a recline function. 

But what really separate it from the rest is its vibration massage points and heated back rest – catnip for exhausted parents. For obvious reasons, though, don’t use the heat when baby’s in the chair.