The Best Small Rocking Chairs for a Nursery
The nursery chair you choose is going to be a place where you want to find comfort and peace.
It’s a place where you’ll spend countless hours holding, feeding, and loving on your new baby.
As a mom myself, I know the importance of researching the best small rocking chairs for a nursery. I’ve done it myself. And, even after choosing a glider that I have loved, there are certainly some features I would like to change.
You know your needs better than I do. But, I am going to do my best to show you the most important features of a nursery chair in hopes that you will find the perfect nursery chair for your growing family!
*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. I only recommend products I love or would personally use.
In case you aren’t sure, I’m going to do a quick rundown of the difference between a Rocker vs Glider vs Recliner. A rocking chair only rocks back and forth. A glider glides back and forth. A swivel glider rocks back and forth, but allows you to spin around 360-degrees. Lastly, a recliner will allow you to reline the chair backward.
Table of Contents
Important Features of a Nursery Chair
Seat Heights: As a smaller person, I know the struggle of sitting in a chair and not being able to touch the floor. My husband is much taller and knows the struggle of having to fit in small spaces. As you’re shopping for the perfect nursery chair, take note of the seat height. You’ll also see that I have included a nursery chair for tall people!
Cost: You are going to see a large range of prices of chairs to put in a nursery. Before shopping, it’s important to know your budget for buying baby gear so you don’t exceed what you can spend. Keep in mind that budget-friendly nursery chairs aren’t always inferior in quality and functionality compared to their more expensive counterparts.
Construction: The construction of any piece of furniture you’re going to be using to care for your baby is important, and not all baby furniture is made the same. Some chairs have a metal construction, while others are made of wood.
Arm Rests: Even if you aren’t planning to breastfeed your baby, you’ll quickly realize the importance of having a nursery chair with comfortable armrests. You will want a chair that has padding on the armrests to help support the weight of your baby’s head.
Fabric Type: Nursery chairs, much like any other piece of furniture, come in a variety of types of fabric. Some are easy to clean and others no so much. Some are more comfortable than others as well. The fabric type can’t be changed once you purchase your chair, so make sure you check to see what kind of fabrics on the chair you’re purchasing.
Type of Base: The base of a rocking chair is VERY different than the base of a glider or recliner. Not only that, but you also need to make sure you have enough room in your nursery to fit the chair you’re buying.
Type of Cushion: I bought a second-hand nursery chair and I quickly realized the padding wasn’t comfortable at all. I ended up having to buy padding and make a completely new seat cushion for my nursery glider. Check to make sure it has adequate seat padding to meet your needs.
Safety Features: Every parent wants to keep their baby safe. Thankfully, several of the chairs I am going to share with you have taken safety into consideration when developing these chairs. If things need to lock into place, make sure they do. Pinched fingers are no fun!
Recline Option: This one of pretty obvious. If it says it’s a recliner, you will be able to recline in it. Some recliners can even recline to different levels. I am going to be sharing some recliners for nurseries, and other nursery chairs that aren’t recliners.
Easy to Clean: As I mentioned before with the fabric, make sure that the fabric is easy to clean if this is a concern of yours. Babies can be very messy and you’ll likely want a fabric that can be cleaned easily.
Is it Comfortable: READ THE REVIEWS! I cannot say this enough. I am including some of the highest-rated small rocking chairs for a nursery, but you shouldn’t just take my word for it. If you’re purchasing somewhere other than Amazon, I encourage you to go to Amazon and read through some of the reviews before making a purchase. You’ll be spending a lot of time in your nursery and you absolutely want to make sure you’re buying a comfortable nursery chair.
Does it Squeak?: Oh goodness! A squeaky chair is the WORST! Especially when you FINALLY just got the baby to sleep and then all of the sudden you hear it… “SSSQQQQUUUUEEEAAAKKKKK”! If you see something in the reviews that I missed about a chair squeaking, you may want to consider a different chair.
Reviews: Buying a chair for your baby’s nursery is an investment, especially if you plan to have more than one child, or if you simply plan to use it in your house after having kids. Do yourself a favor and read the reviews. How does the chair hold up over time? How does the fabric clean up? What colors are available? There are so many things you can learn about an item from reading the reviews of people who actually own the product.
Space Saving Nursery Gliders and Rocking Chairs
Best Nursery Chair Overall
The DaVinci Olive Swivel Nursery Glider is not only the best small swivel glider chair, it is my pick for the best nursery chair overall.
This glider nursery chair comes in your choice of 5 colors: cream, dark gray, dark gray w/cream piping, gray w/cream piping, and navy w/gray piping.
The metal base of this glider swivels 360-degrees and glides forward and backward.
There is a stationary ottoman included with the glider. The chair does come assembled which is really convenient.
The high back of the chair offers great back support as well as the included lumbar support pillow.
The polyester fabric cleans up easily with spot cleaning.
If you choose to check this chair out on Amazon, I encourage you to read past the first few reviews. 
Type of Chair: Swivel Glider
Ottoman Included: Yes
Base: Metal
Lumbar Support: Pillow Included
Chair Weight: 80 pounds
Chair Weight Limit: 300 pounds
A VERY close second is the Kenwood Slim Nursery Glider. It is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a slim rocking chair for your nursery.
One of my top picks for narrow nursery gliders for small spaces, this chair comes in several color choices: charcoal, light blue, taupe, and light gray, though not all stores carry all colors.
The smooth swivel action of the metal base offers great support without any annoying noise.
The assembly of this chair is as simple as sliding the back of the chair into place.
An added benefit to purchasing this chair is that once you’re finished using it in your nursery, it’s aesthetically pleasing and could be placed anywhere in your house.
Type of Chair: Swivel Glider Rocker
Ottoman Included: No
Base: Metal
Lumbar Support: Not Specified
Chair Weight: 70 pounds
Best Rocking Chair for Tall Parents
Not all nursery chairs are made the same and you’re likely used to that if you’re tall. The Baxton Studio Rocking Chair is a nursery chair for tall people that will actually be comfortable for you to sit in for long periods of time. The polyester fabric is ideal for a nursery chair because it spot cleans easily.
This mid-century modern nursery chair has a high back design, paired with armrests at the appropriate height ergonomically speaking.
A couple of things to note about this chair- first, it is a rocking chair. And if you’ve even rocked in a rocking chair for long enough, it “walks” so to speak. You may want to consider buying an accent rug to place under the chair if it’s going to be on hardwood floors. Another thing mentioned by a couple of buyers is that the assembly instructions almost read as though you’re putting the chair together backward. A minor hiccup for a great nursery chair in my opinion.
Type of Chair: Rocking Chair
Ottoman Included: No, but is available for purchase
Base: Solid Wood
Lumbar Support: Not Specified
Chair Weight: 69 pounds
Best Chair for Plus-Size Parents
If you have a larger build, you also want a comfortable nursing chair for taking care of your baby. The Nursery Works Sleepytime Rocker is a great option for you. When I started researching this chair, I saw the word “viscose” and immediately fell in love. Viscose is one of the softest fabrics I have ever experienced, so when I saw it as part of the blend of fabric that covers this chair, I was SUPER excited.
This nursery rocking chair is constructed and upholstered by hand. If you know anything about craftsmanship, there is something to be said about anything that is made by hand versus a machine.
This nursery rocker does come with a lumbar support pillow, which is super important when you may be spending many hours per day sitting in your nursery chair caring for your baby.
One thing to note with this chair- if you decide this is the right nursery chair for your family, the wooden rocking legs are stored under the base of the chair (some people thought they were missing).
Type of Chair: Rocking Chair
Ottoman Included: No
Base: Wood
Lumbar Support: Pillow Included
Chair Weight: 50 pounds
Best Budget-Friendly Nursery Chairs
If you’re shopping for a nursery chair on a budget, there are two great options for you. The first is the Angel Line Windsor Nursery Glider and Ottoman. This affordable nursery chair is the perfect addition to any nursery.
This budget-friendly nursery glider features padded arms, generous seating, and a smooth gliding motion every parent desires. The chair cushions are removable which is an amazing feature because babies can be messy.
If you’re looking for a nursery chair that is easy to assemble, you’d be making a wise purchase with this chair. Some people have put it together in under 15 minutes!
One thing that can often be a problem with gliders is that they might make a noise as the chair glides and that isn’t an issue with this chair.
Type of Chair: Glider
Ottoman Included: Yes
Base: Wood
Lumbar Support: Not Specified
Chair Weight: 48 pounds
Another cheap nursery chair option is the Stork Craft Premium Hoop Glider and Ottoman. One unique feature of this nursery chair that you won’t find on many others is storage on the sides of the armrests. These would be a great place to put your phone, a book, or any other small item you’d like to keep within reach.
Your back, bottom, and arms will all be padded, while your feet rest on the included gliding ottoman.
There are 15 different color/wood combinations to choose from, which is another unique feature of nursery chairs. Oftentimes, you only get one color option.
If you should spill something on the chair or ottoman, a simple spot clean is the best cleaning option.
Another BIG added benefit to purchasing this chair is the customer service. Several of the reviews I read RAVED about the level of customer service from this company. Some people couldn’t say enough positive things about this chair, while others were left slightly disappointed. I encourage you to read the reviews and see if their concerns bother you. If not, I say this is a great budget-friendly nursery glider!
Type of Chair: Glider
Ottoman Included: Yes
Base: Wood
Lumbar Support:
Chair Weight: 27.06 pounds
Best Nursery Chair with Storage
If you’re trying to find a nursery chair for a small space, it may be helpful to have a storage ottoman. The DaVinci Owen Glider and Storage Ottoman is a great option because it offers extra storage at your feet.
This wingback style glider features button tufting on the back of the chair, a lumbar pillow for back support, and a soft, comfortable cushion for your bottom.
The upholstered ottoman features a removable lid, and great storage inside! If you have a small nursery already, you know that every bit of storage space helps.
The metal base of this chair allows for a full 360-degree swivel motion and a forward and backward gliding motion.
One of the greatest benefits of this chair is that it comes completely assembled! So if you’re concerned about putting together a nursery chair, you won’t have to worry about that when you purchase this chair. Some reviewers did experience a metal on metal grinding sound, while others had no issue. Overall, that was one of the biggest concerns in the reviews of this chair.
Type of Chair: Swivel Glider
Ottoman Included: Storage Ottoman Included
Base: Metal
Lumbar Support: Pillow Included
Chair Weight: 99 pounds
Best Rocker Glider for Nursery
The Million Dollar Baby Classic Miranda Wingback Rocker is a visually appealing nursery chair. It is the modern-day, updated version of a classic rocking chair.
If you like a wingback-style nursery chair but would like a traditional rocker over a glider, you should consider the Miranda Wingback Rocker.
As you can see in the photo, the rocking chair comes with a lumbar pillow included helping support your back while you spend hours rocking your sweet babe.
A unique feature of this well-made nursery rocking chair is that the fabric repels water and is stain-resistant. If you’ve ever spent much time around a baby, you know how great this truly is!
The chair is slightly wider than a traditional rocking chair, so take note of that if the space you’re planning to put it is really tiny.
If you aren’t fond of white, this chair can be purchased in other types and colors of fabric. This chair is also incredibly fashionable and could easily be placed in any room of your house once you’re finished using it as a nursery chair, making the price tag easier to handle.
Type of Chair: Rocking Chair
Ottoman Included: No
Base: Wood
Lumbar Support: Pillow Included
Chair Weight: 64.2 pounds
Best Nursery Chair for Lumbar Support
When proper back support is a high priority, you need to look for a chair that offers great lumbar support. The best nursery chair for lumbar support is the DaVinci Ruby.
This recliner glider nursery chair has a 360-degree swivel motion with a forward and backward gliding motion when not being reclined. As for sound, this chair glides silently.
The seat, back, and armrests offer great support to your body as you rock your baby to sleep. There is a lumbar pillow included to help support your back.
If chair assembly is a concern of yours, rest assured knowing this chair has super easy assembly.
Several people even said they have spent many nights in this chair when their babies were first born because it is that comfortable, especially in the recline position.
Type of Chair: Recliner Swivel Glider
Ottoman Included: No
Base: Metal
Lumbar Support: Pillow Included
Chair Weight: 99 pounds
Best Nursery Recliner and Swivel Glider
Another small glider recliner that swivels is the DaVinci Maddox Recliner & Swivel Glider.
This small nursery chair features a metal base that allows for a 360-degree swivel motion, as well as a forward and backward gliding motion.
This nursery chair can also recline! If you don’t like being able to see the reclining mechanism, you won’t have to worry about that this chair because the reclining mechanism is hidden.
The chair assembles easily, and it rocks and swivels smoothly.
Type of Chair: Recliner Swivel Glider
Ottoman Included: No
Base: Metal
Lumbar Support: Not Specified
Chair Weight: 100 pounds
Best Modern Nursery Chair
If you’d like to have a modern nursery rocking chair, the Babyletto Madison Swivel Glider may be the clear winner for your nursery.
Made of ultrasoft, durable, and easy-to-clean microsuede, this classic mid-century chair features a metal base that swivels 360-degrees and glides forward and backward.
This compact nursery chair is perfect for any family with a small space for a nursery chair.
An added bonus of this amazing chair is that it arrives fully assembled!
Because this chair is incredibly stylish (and comes in 3 different color choices), you won’t have any issue placing this attractive chair in another room of your home once you’re finished using it in your nursery.
Type of Chair: Swivel Glider
Ottoman Included: No
Base: Metal
Lumbar Support: Not Specified
Chair Weight: 62 pounds
Best Nursery Glider and Ottoman
One of the great features of the Stork Craft Tuscany Custom Hoop Nursery Glider and Ottoman is that you can choose between 6 wood finishes and 4 different colors of fabric.
This chair comes with a lumbar support pillow to help keep your back supported while sitting in this chair rocking or feeding your little one.
The polyester material is easily spot cleaned. The chair has padded armrests to help keep your arms comfortable while holding or feeding your baby. An added bonus is the storage pockets on either side of the armrests.
The chair doesn’t squeak or make noise when in use and can be easily put together when it arrives.
Type of Chair: Glider
Ottoman Included: Yes
Base: Wood
Lumbar Support: Pillow Included
Chair Weight: 45.5 pounds
Best Swivel Glider for a Nursery
The Million Dollar Baby Classic Alden Swivel Glider is a great swivel glider option for any nursery. When purchasing this nursery chair, you will get to choose between three colors: gray tweed, gray weave, and white linen.
The polyester fabric wipes of easily which is always a nice feature for a nursery chair.
The metal base of this chair swivels 360-degrees and glides forwards and backward. The high back of this chair offers some much-needed neck support while holding and rocking your baby.
The glider chair assembles easily.
Some reviews expressed concerns about the chair seat not being great for people who are short because it makes it hard to touch the ground to rock. 
Type of Chair: Swivel Glider
Ottoman Included: No
Base: Metal
Lumbar Support: Not specified
Chair Weight: 70.4 pounds
Best Swivel Glider and Ottoman for a Nursery
When you choose the Babyletto Toco Upholstered Swivel Glider and Stationary Ottoman, you’ll get to choose between 3 colors: white linen, a gray eco-weave, and gray tweed.
This modern wingback swivel glider comes with an attractive stationary ottoman.
The arms of this glider are great for holding up your arms while breastfeeding. It is a bit narrow, but when looking for a small nursery chair, the size of the chair is important.
Some people did say their chair squeaked a bit, while others have had no issue.
The chair does also includes a lumbar support pillow.
Type of Chair: Swivel Glider
Ottoman Included: Yes
Base: Metal
Lumbar Support: Pillow included
Chair Weight: 88 pounds
Best Nursery Chair for Twins
If you’ll be having twins, you need to see the Baby Relax Hadley Double Rocker. One of the best nursery rocking chairs, the double rocking chair is 1.5 times larger than a traditional rocking chair. I know we’re talking about small rocking chairs here, but this chair is actually pretty compact, all things considered.
The seat and back of this chair, as well as the armrests, offer great padding support while you rock or feed your baby.
If you’d like, you can also purchase the matching ottoman, but it does not come with the chair.
Another thing to consider when checking out this rocking chair is how many kids you currently have, or think you may have. It is an added bonus that you could have your toddler rocking beside you while you rock your baby to sleep.
The chair assembles easily as well.
Fabric: Woven Upholstery
Type of Chair: Rocking Chair
Ottoman Included: Not included but available
Base: Wood
Lumbar Support: not specified
Chair Weight: 83 pounds
Best Nursery Chair for Breastfeeding
I know firsthand the importance of having the best nursery chair for breastfeeding. The Graco Parker Semi-Upholstered Glider and Nursing Ottoman will serve you well, regardless of whether you plan to breastfeed or not.
You can first choose between two color combinations: espresso wood/beige fabric, and white wood/gray fabric.
Just by looking at this chair, you can see how comfortable it looks. The seat, back, and armrests offer comfortable support.
The ottoman is amazing as a breastfeeding mom and I wish mine had the nursing stool feature that this ottoman has. Having that firm foundation while trying to hold your baby up while breastfeeding would be SO nice to have.
The polyester fabric is easy to clean, and the chair itself is easy to assemble.
The reviews are mixed on the actual chair itself. Some say it squeaks and others say it doesn’t. Some say it’s very comfortable, and others not. I encourage you to read the reviews yourself to make the best decision for your family.
Type of Chair: Glider
Ottoman Included: Yes; includes the pull-out/fold-under nursing stool
Base: Wood
Lumbar Support:
Chair Weight: 37.8 pounds
Chair Weight Limit: 250 pounds
Nursery Chair FAQ
How much room should you have for a rocker or glider in your nursery?
The amount of room you have available for a nursery chair is completely up to you. If you have a small nursery, you should be able to find a small nursery chair that will work for you in your space. A small space doesn’t mean you can’t have a nice nursery chair.
Do I really need a glider or rocking chair for the nursery?
Most people really enjoy having a small rocking chair in their nursery. It’s a place you can rock and feed your baby and find rest while spending quality time with them. This is the reason you need to take time to find the right rocking chair for you.
How long do you use a glider or rocker in the nursery?
The length of time you choose to use a rocker or glider in your nursery is totally up to you. Some people only use their nursery chairs for the breastfeeding season. Others use their chair until the toddler years. And some take the chair out of the nursery and use it for a longer period of time in another room of their home.
Is a glider or rocker better for a nursery?
Choosing a glider or rocking chair for your nursery depends on your personal preference. Many gliders also swivel which some people really like, while others don’t. If you like the feel of a traditional rocking chair, you will likely enjoy a rocking chair in your nursery.
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Baby Essentials List for the First Year
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