10 best nursing chairs to feed and soothe your baby in comfort

An example of when form and function worked harmoniously, this was, without a doubt, the most comfortable chair I tested and one of the best looking to boot. A plush, wide seat cushion remains comfortable and plump even during the long, cluster-feeding hours, and the soft bouclé fabric has a velvety texture that feels great against bare skin. The raised chair arms – which I didn’t find on other chairs I tested – have been designed so you new mums can rest their tired arms while holding the baby in the typical crossbody feeding position, while the seat back was just the right height to support both your back and neck while reclined. It should be noted that I am a petite 5 feet and 3 inches, and my neck rested perfectly against the back of the chair.

Ergonomic oak rocking legs offer a smooth – and crucially silent – ride. It comes in four colourways and is quite a neat size, making it ideal for mid-size rooms. When it comes to cleaning, the cushion cover is reversible, meaning you can go a bit longer without having to get the chair professionally cleaned.

I love this minimalist rocking chair for nurseries with less space and muscles that are weak. While flat packs can be a pain to put up, this chair took under 10 minutes to put together and saved too many cooks trying to carry a heavy, bulky chair upstairs. Thankfully, when pieced together, the chair is super lightweight and easy enough to carry into your bedroom to make those bleary eyed feeds a little less painful.

IIt costs a fraction of the price as other rockers and helped keep the nursery budget in order. Plus, a massive bonus is that the seat cover, which simply velcros in place and has suprisingly lost-lasting comfort for a thinner padding option, is easily replaceable if you ever want to change colour schemes or are struggling to fight a stain.

I was also happy to find out that Ikea sells replacement cushions (£30, Ikea.com) in six different colours. A very reassuring reason to buy this item for a room that’s bound to experience plenty of messy accidents. And as you didn’t spend too much on the chair, we recommend snapping up the matching footstool for £45 (Ikea.com).

Bridging the gap between style and practicality, the Mamas and Papas hilston nursing chair is by far one of the most aesthetically pleasing I’ve come across, especially if you choose it in the fabric of the moment – off-white boucle. Designed with a modern look, it has an ergonomic shape that left my back feeling supported, while its cushioned arms are positioned at an optimum height for improved comfort during feeds so you can say goodbye to soreness and cramps.

The thick foam cushions of the chair feel firm yet manage to sculpt to your body so you can feel relaxed without sacrificing your posture and I loved the rocking motion, which feels smooth and gentle thanks to the chair’s sturdy solid oak legs. Available in five fabric and colour choices, which all feel soft and luxurious, I also appreciated that the chair comes with a reversible cushion that can be simply removed for quick and easy cleaning should you have any accidents, which, let’s face it, are inevitable with a newborn.

If you’re looking to put your feet up while feeding or soothing your baby, I love that the chair can be purchased as part of a bundle with a matching footstool. Seriously chic and effective, this chair will serve you well beyond the baby years and looks just as at home in any other room as it will in your nursery. So, while it is certainly an investment, we think it’s one that’s sure to stand the test of time.

From the moment it arrived, which was surprisingly a super speedy delivery for free postage, I was instantly blown away by the luxe look and feel of this chair. The elegant style complements any modern home, no matter what room you choose to use it in.

I found the gliding sensation a much easier motion for my sore, postpartum body and was thankful for the 360-degree turn to prevent any stiff jolts that might irritate a nursing baby. Due to the large sizing, I was unable to squeeze it into my little one’s nursery but adored it as part of my playroom, which saved having to lug the heavy chair upstairs.

I was grateful for its long lifespan as it perfectly doubles up as a relaxing spot for your little one to read as they grow older as they much prefer the swivel compared to a rocker when they are tall enough to have fun spinning themselves. I was pleased that the chair lived up to its price tag and actually felt like the stunning fabric made it look even more expensive in our home.

If you have enough space in a nursery or playroom and looking to bring some luxury into a modern room, I recommend this large option and love it most for its easy breezy rocking and swivel motions which do the perfect job of comforting baby with two different movement options.

Unlike other chairs I tested, the Tutti Bambini Harper wingback rocking chair arrived in two parts and was quite tricky to assemble due to one of the screws not fitting well. Besides a frustrating start, the chair offered everything you might need from a feeding chair, including a wide seat and a high back, which felt firm and supportive. The cushioned seat was comfortable but I felt it lacked bounce, and I would sink a little too deeply into it on marathon feeds. Rocking legs offered a smooth, soundless rocking motion, and the design, with its modern ‘mushroom’ colourway and ‘teddy fleece’ fabric, means it would slot nicely into any living room after its use in the nursery. The fabric has been treated with Scotchgard™ to help protect against spills and stains, allowing you to blot out milk stains easily, but for harder stains (yes, we’re talking baby poop), you would need to get it professionally cleaned.

It also comes with an extremely useful footstool with storage – perfect for keeping wipes, nappies, and other changing bits and pieces tidied away, and a pillow for the small of your back. It is on the large side, so it would not suit smaller nursery rooms.

Overall, and for the price point, it is a great option, especially for those with larger nursery rooms and who prefer firm support.

Bridging the gap between timeless style and glorious comfort, anyone would be forgiven for thinking this luxury nursing chair belonged in an elegant living room. I can assure you it belongs nowhere other than wherever you are nursing or cuddling your baby because its lightweight, swivel glider function is the easiest I've tested to rock your baby. Just the gentlest of body movement is enough to glide back and forth without your feet even needing to touch the ground.

The Sofa Club Bria's high back offers full body support for tired new mums – no need to fear becoming a ‘hunchback mum’ with this chair. Its thoughtfully curved arms help support you while you hold your baby in their favourite – albeit often awkward – positions. The lumbar cushion is an extra sweet touch for additional comfort, and, for those inevitable accidents, the cushion cover can be thrown into the washing machine for an easy clean. The luxe chenille material feels delightfully soft on new baby skin, and the clubby design means it’s all too easy to let your body sink into the chair comfortably on those long night feeds.

If you’re looking for a cavernous chair that can become part of your home for many years to come, this is the one for you. The large seat base is big enough that you can sit with your legs crossed or have your little one beside you once they’ve grown for cosy bedtime reading sessions. Of course, its bulkiness does mean it’s best suited to those with more space, so that’s something to keep in mind.

The chair is classically minimalist with a square shape that lends itself well to comfortable sitting. The armrests are fairly low compared to other styles I tried, which helps keep your shoulders relaxed, and I liked that the chair comes with a removable cushion, which you can use to prop underneath your arms should they start to feel heavy or for additional lumbar support.

The legs have a Scandi-inspired look to them and are made from quality natural birch wood, allowing you to sit back with a smooth rocking motion ideal for relaxing. I also appreciated that the cushion covers are removable and washable.

There are a number of colourways up for grabs, from neutral tones to ochre and ocean blue. There’s also the option to buy a coordinating ottoman (£129.99, Gaia-baby.com) that not only acts as a handy footstool but also offers storage for things such as books or feeding accessories thanks to its liftable lid.

This brand really lives up to their name because every one of Cuddle Co's chairs I've tested honestly does feel like a comforting embrace. The beautifully crafted, silky, soft boucle fabric feels luxuriously cosy and kind to your postpartum body and your baby's delicate skin. I adore the contemporary off-white colourway and its classic, oak rocking legs.

This sturdy nursing chair rocks in a much more gentle motion compared to others tested, which I am always grateful for when my daredevil two-year-old decides to use it as a climbing frame. This soothing movement, combined with wide armrests and thick padded support, provides the ultimate relaxation while nursing your baby, reading a story together or rocking them to sleep. The best part about this chair, though, is the bargain price tag; a great price for an item that feels so luxe.

With white rocking legs and soft neutral cushions – pick between creamy oatmeal or soft grey – this nursing chair will look right at home in most interiors. Made with a sturdy solid wood frame, the build quality feels great, while the thick foam seat and curved back cushioning provide all-around comfort.

I loved the wide seat on Obaby’s chair, which gives plenty of space for you to snuggle up with your little one, even as they grow. The rocking bars mean you sit fairly low to the ground and provide a smooth, rocking motion that’s not only great for the baby but also for the parent when they’re in need of some “me” time. I also liked the up-to-date design, which features stylish arrow shaping on the back cushion and a soft yet durable weaved upholstery that promises to look fresh for years to come.

Tutti Bambini’s noah chair is one of the most versatile and practical options on this list. It’s brimming with features that not only mean it will take the strain out of comforting your little one for long periods of time, but will likely become a prime feature of any room in your home once they’re fully grown.

With a minimalistic design, it looks the part, coming in a choice of two muted colours – stone or pebble. Aside from its good looks, it has been designed with new parents in mind. It boasts an ergonomic shape for full back support, comfortable curved armrests that won’t leave you aching and Scotchguarded fabric that means it’s protected from pretty much any kind of spill and can be spot-cleaned where necessary.