If you have a baby on the way, one of the things you’re going to want to do before the new arrival comes is pick out a good rocking chair. Trust us on this one, this is one piece of furniture you’re going to be spending a lot of time in for the next couple of years, and you don’t want to skimp on it.
As you no doubt already know, having a new baby is going to mean a lot of nights of staying up with a fussy little one. Most parents find that rocking their baby is one of the best ways to soothe him and help him fall asleep. While you can certainly rock him standing up, or while sitting on any piece of furniture, the most comfortable way to rock a baby to sleep is in a rocking chair.
The rocking motion helps settle babies in a number of ways. First of all, the constant motion reminds them of what they experienced inside your tummy, when they were jostled around every time you moved. Secondly, the gentle rhythm of rocking back and forth is calming to people of all ages. Additionally, when you hold your baby in your arms or lay him across your chest while you are rocking him, your nearness helps calm him.
So, given the fact that you’re going to be spending much of the next couple of years in a rocking chair, how do you pick out the perfect one for you? The bottom line is that you try a lot of them out and see which one feels best to you.
There are several different kinds of rocking chairs, but the two most common ones are the traditional rocking chairs with the curved rockers and the newer glider rocking chairs. Both can provide a very comfortable place to rock your baby to sleep, and it really comes down to a matter of preference. Your best bet is to spend plenty of time trying out both kinds.
If money is an issue, consider buying a used rocking chair. It’s better to get a used rocker that you really like than a new one that you don’t. It’s not unusual to find used rocking chairs at rummage sales, estate sales, and antique stores. If you do buy a used rocking chair, make sure to look it over well and spend some time rocking in it to ensure that it’s still in good shape. Unless you have experience in furniture repair, don’t buy a rocking chair with any pieces missing or starting to become disconnected.
Make sure that there’s plenty of padding on any rocker or glider that you pick out. Remember, you’ll be spending a lot of time there, and you will want to be as comfortable as you can be.
