To Glide or not to Glide

[Hula1974]

What's the hype about gliders? Is there some benefit to that particular motion that I might be overlooking? Is it more comfortable for mom?

I'm trying to decide what to buy and wondering if I get a rocker instead, will I be sorry?

[karlatta]

I didn't buy a glider. I have a three week old and I have a rocker, and frankly I've never used that either. Perhaps I will when he's older.

I find it just as easy to sway the kid in my arms, or bounce him, or swing him around on my legs.

ETA: I just remembered that I thought about buying a glider, but it turns out that I'm so inflexible that it actually hurts to be in a glider. When it moves forward, it creates too much pressure on my super-tight hamstrings.

[scarlett]

I don't think there's anything special about the gliding motion vs rocking motion for the baby. The main reason we got a glider is so I would have a comfortable place in DS's room to sit while nursing. I don't use the glider to comfort or sooth crying baby, but the gliding action is really soothing for me

[Sophia]

To me, the benefit is not having to worry my little dogs are going to get their paws crushed. I'd be worried with a rocker.

[Marisa]

There's nothing miraculous about a glider, it's just a matter of personal preference. We happen to have a rocker that was given to us, I don't find it all that comfortable.... but I sat in a glider at someone's house once and... ahhhh.

[Sophia]

Actually, now that Marisa mentions it, I did have a borrowed rocker when #1 was born, and my mom bought me an upholstered rocker when #2 was born. Neither fit me (I'm very petite) and were very uncomfortable so I never used them. The glider I bought for #3 actually fits, and the gliding motion is easier on my knees than the rockers were.

[BeachBum]

I love my glider. I didn't use it much until DS transitioned to the crib in his room. We use it at all naps, bedtime and night time soothing.
IMO an ottoman is a must. If I had it to do over I would also get one that reclines.

I agree that the benefit of the glider over a rocker is not to have pinched fingers or toes.

To me, the glider is a "must have" item.

[elladee]

Eh, we never got a glider. We do have a rocking chair that I stole from my mother's house, but really it's just holding DD's laundry right now. I'm going to give it back soon. I think I used it maybe once or twice when she wouldn't sleep in the middle of the night. Oh wait, I did really love it when I was in labor. We have DD sleep in our room so when she needs to nurse at night, I just sit in bed.

[ds2003]

It is a personal preference. I think you should make the decision on what you like not what the industry is trying to push. I prefer the motion of a glider. We bought a neutral color so that it can go into any room in our house. It does not have to scream baby.

[kimthebride]

Personally, I find rockers & gliders soothing. For me.

But I didn't bother with one for DS - I just put an old livingroom chair & ottoman in the nursery. It worked out perfectly:
- I had a real lounging seat to sleep in when DS is up at night over something (teething pain, illness, whatever). I can get a decent night's sleep in it with him in my arms/on my chest.
- Totally comfortable to nurse in
- DS doesn't need to be rocked or swayed to sleep, since I didn't sit in a chair gliding or rocking him to sleep every night. No issues at all getting him to lay down in his crib awake and fall asleep on his own, motion-free
- If I wanted to rock or sway him, I just did it in my arms the old-fashioned way

FTR my chair is like this with an ottoman as wide as the chair: