At a Glance:
Is a Nursery Rocking Chair Really Important?
Tips to Find the Best Rocking Chair for Nursery Rooms
5 Nursery Rocking Chairs We Love
Motherhood is a priceless experience, so it’s worth it to make sure you enjoy every step of the process. One of the best ways to cherish being the mother of a newborn is with a special place to create new memories. In our experience, there’s nothing quite like a nursery rocking chair, so we were nothing short of delighted to find out that a rocking chair is more beneficial to parenting than we initially knew.
If you’ve been on the fence between a rocking chair and an ordinary chair, allow us to convince you with five surprising reasons rocking chairs are a must-have, along with five stylish nursery rockers any mother would approve of.
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Rocking ChairsIs a Nursery Rocking Chair Really Important?
All parents get a free pass to relaxation, but there are various studies and research to prove that there’s more to relaxing in a baby rocking chair than indulging in a little couch potato action. From stress relief to encouraging healthy growth skills, the nursery rocking chair is an underrated hero that is essential for the baby years.
✅ Rocking is Best for Soothing Newborns
Depending on the person asked, there are a few speculations as to why babies love rocking. Some suggest the motion reminds newborns of being in the safety of the womb, while others argue rocking stimulates the senses and relaxes a child’s mind. Whatever the true reason(s) may be, various studies confirm that newborns who are lulled by rocking feel substantially more relaxed versus those being carried alone.
✅ Nursery Rocking Chairs Relieve Bodily Stress
Good news, parents: research suggests that parents-to-be may also benefit from a nursery rocking chair even before giving birth. In certain cases, users who relaxed on a rocking chair showed reduced pain signals to the brain, resulting in deeper comfort than sitting on a stationary chair. Since nursery chairs also tend to be plusher than standard chairs, users also benefited from better back and leg relief.
✅ Parents Experience Better Bonding in Rockers
The more you sit and relax with your child, the more your newborn becomes familiar with your scent, touch, sound, and even your heartbeat. That’s bonding 101, and it’s been linked to better brain, body, and physical health, as well as the release of beneficial hormones that are helpful for newborns. Rocking chairs provide a private, quiet spot where mothers can promote bonding by keeping a newborn close to their body.
✅ Rocking Chairs Develop Healthy Positional Sensing
It will be a few months before your newborn fully masters balance and walking, but it’s never too early to start developing those skills. A nursery rocking chair is a perfect place to start since it introduces newborns to an awareness of their surroundings, also known as positional sensing.
✅ Surgery Recovery
In particular, mothers who’ve had cesareans are able to speed up post-partum recovery substantially by spending time in a rocking chair. The claim is backed by several recognized studies, which ultimately credit rocking chairs with speedy C-section recovery because it releases endorphins in the brain and stimulates circulation. Of course, the same goes for anyone recovering from surgery, especially individuals who have undergone knee, leg, and back surgery.
Tips to Find the Best Rocking Chair for Nursery Rooms
You’ll probably be spending a good amount of time in a rocking chair during the early phases of your newborn’s life. As much as style counts, comfort is also important, if not more. Keep these tips in mind as you shop to avoid selecting a bad nursery rocking chair that leaves you feeling more fatigued.
Comfortable Arms are a Must
It’s often overlooked, but the armrests on a rocking chair play a bigger role in overall comfort than it seems. Hard surfaces are nice for placing a bottle or other diaper bag essentials, but be aware that they can be taxing on the elbows after a while. We prefer softer armrests, which additionally guard against accidental head bumps (parenting is a learning curve!).
Pick Low-Maintenance Upholstery
Spit-ups are to be expected during the first few months of nursing, and there’s a good chance your nursery rocking chair just might end up being the target. We suggest skipping precious materials like silk or fabrics labeled with D upholstery codes, which indicate professional cleaning only.
Good materials for nursery rocking chairs include:
✓ Cotton
✓ Leather
✓ Polyester
✓ Acrylic
✓ Linen
Consider a Locking Feature
If possible, we highly recommend rocking chairs with a locking mechanism. First, they allow you use them in a stationary position, just in case you need stability while holding a wobbly baby. Secondly, they prevent curious fingers from getting jammed once your sprout is up and roaming around.
The Best Support for Your Body
Each mother is different, so finding the right rocking chair for your body shape requires a little bit of trial and error. Start by comparing your body measurement to a rocking chair’s.
- Is the seat at a good height where your legs aren’t dangling off?
- Is there enough headrest support to keep your neck properly aligned?
- Does the seat provide enough room to sit and spread out if you need to?
Considering how personal this step in the selection process is, we recommend saving this for last and testing the rockers you like in person.
Splurge on Seat Support
Finally, reward yourself while you nurture your newborn with sufficient seat support. Hard foam cushions are resilient, but they press on the body, leading to discomfort. However, rocking chairs that have seats that are too plush sink and round the lumbar, and you guessed it, causes discomfort.
5 Nursery Rocking Chairs We Love
Who would have thought that the nostalgic rocking chair was a healing center for newborns and parents? As exciting as the facts are, we also can’t deny that finding a cute nursing rocking chair that complements a bedroom is fun, so let’s look at five different rocking style choices picked by our design experts.
Best Rustic Nursery Rocking Chair: The Sunny Designs Marina Beach Pebble Rocker
This wood rocking chair goes for an organic look with a solid frame and armrests, but a simple blanket or throw over the side is all it takes to take the comfort to the next level. Beyond that tiny detail, we appreciate its billowy seat and padded back with a tall back to support the entire body from head to lumbar. Best of all, the rustic spirit of this rocking chair only looks better as it ages with the addition of knicks and dings that add to its rugged character.
Best Cottage-Style Nursery Rocking Chair: The Olliix by Martha Stewart Braxton Cream Rocking Chair
Fan of Martha Stewart? Then you might love this dreamy rocking chair from Olliix by Martha Stewart in an ivory finish that is equal parts cottage design as it is farmhouse. We love that this wooden nursery rocker is made of solid wood, making it a potential heirloom piece you can pass down to the next generation. No matter which time period, comfort is timeless, and this chair provides it with a wide attached seat and a detachable back cushion that provides the option sturdier back support during those long rocking sessions.
Best Contemporary Nursery Rocking Chair: Elements International Marius Blue Rocker Chair
How do you do motherhood in style? By soothing your newborn in this handsome number in bold blue. The upholstery is beautifully contrasted by a walnut base, and button tufting and piping add details that take this rocker to the next level. Bonus points go for the padded armrests and polyester upholstery that make happy little accidents less of a concern.
Best Transitional Nursery Rocking Chair: The Olliix by Madison Park Hadley Spice Rocking Chair
Be prepared to be called a glam momma if this gorgeous velvet rocking chair catches your eye. Crafted in gentle curves and a warm coral tone, this semi wing rocking chair proves nursery rooms can be sophisticated. It’s also designed with quality to match, from the solid wood base to the polyester upholstery that is low-maintenance and a major impact.
Best Nursery Rocking Swivel Chair: The Olliix by Martha Stewart Amber Ivory Swivel Chair
The pub back design of this swivel rocker chair provides hints of masculine design for a versatile option that can be used in both boy’s and girl’s nursery rooms. Settle in and allow its wrap-around frame to cradle you as your nurse and rock your child to healthy stimulation during bonding time. You’ll find that the swivel mechanism comes in real handy when you need to reach for the diaper bag but you don’t want to disturb your sleeping child.
Before we forget — congratulations! You’re on your way to becoming a standout mother, and selecting a nursery rocking chair that you and your loved ones will enjoy is the start of many memories to come. Now that we’ve revealed all the health benefits you and your newborn will enjoy on a rocking chair, it’s time to start the search for the one you’ll love.
Whether you want to see one of our five favorite rocking chairs from above or are looking for some more inspiration, Bob Mills Furniture is your destination for nursery rocking chairs for every style and need. Browse online or shop in-store today to see our entire collection of quality rocking chairs!
Why Trust Bob Mills Furniture?
At Bob Mills Furniture, we believe that everyone is family. Since 1971, we have delivered beautiful furniture for 50 years (and counting), with ten sprawling locations in the U.S. — from our flagship store in Oklahoma City to San Antonio in Texas to Wichita in Kansas. Our friendly staff aims to offer the greatest comfort and value, with elegant styles to match your taste, décor, and design. In addition to coziness and style, we also stock furniture and mattress brands with strong reputations and track records of durability so that you can enjoy your investment for years to come.
Shop Nursery Rocking Chairs at Bob Mills
Start reveling in endless comfort and shop rocking chairs online for unbeatable prices at Bob Mills. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you get settled into a comfortable nursery rocking chair — whether you call the Bob Mills Furniture store nearest you or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one our showrooms throughout Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas to discover why we are everyone’s favorite local furniture store. Visit us today!
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