breastfeeding chairs & gliders vs poang

[EmmaJane]

I've searched the forums and I found one thread about comfy gliders, which is what I was initially looking for. But lots of people seem keen on Ikea's poang chair, so I've had a look at the Ikea website and now I'm wondering which one people mean.

So for those with Poangs, which do you have? The rocking chair or the armchair? And what cover do you have? There are a few different types so the armchairs range from $159 to $389 (the expensive one is leather).

For those with other gliders, what do you have and how are they for durability of the covering material, squeakiness, and general comfort?

If there's another thread I've missed, sorry, and I look forward to being redirected!

[jellybean88]

I got a cheaper glider with fake leather chair from a baby store $200ish I think maybe cheaper it has started squeeking and the fabric is pulling apart at seams cause dh uses it so maybe get something durable and man proof

[~Kim~]

I had a Swallow glider. Last through 7 years of tough abuse from me and the kids. I bought it second hand too so it was about 10 years old. I just sold it and they asked me if it was only new. It stood up.
However, the arm rests were wooden. Not so comfy for tired elbows and too high to shove a pillow over it.
So I'd recommend Swallow as a brand, but I'd opt for one with padded arms

[onthefly]

Serious question: what's the advantage of these over normal, everyday chairs? I've never really understood the need to buy breastfeeding chairs. Lying down to feed is heaps comfy anyway.

[JLeigh29]

We have both.

We have a poang chair in DS' play area so I have somewhere to sit in there apart from the floor! It's the normal armchair one with the colourful fabric and its pretty comfy. But, since being preg with #2 I noticed I can't hoist myself in and out of the chair and when I sit, my knees are higher than my hips and it's not so comfy. We looked into gliders/breast feeding chairs as I'll be spending a lot of time in the playroom when Bub is here (DS wants Mummy nearby at all times!) and ended up getting a good deal on a Valco with footstool. It's comfy and I can imagine it being great for breastfeeding and when I want to lie back and snooze while still being with DS.

HTH

[Amaunet]

I have both. A regular Poang and a Europa Venice Glider in off white fake leather. I adore my glider, it got heaps of use, especially late night feeding and settling and is only getting a break since Ds2 moved in with Ds1. It's heaps more comfy than the Poang and whilst expensive, got used daily for 19 months and will be back in use for #3. It still looks brand new as well and no squeaks. I test sat in heaps to find one that suited me, not all were very comfortable.

[~Kim~]

Serious question: what's the advantage of these over normal, everyday chairs? I've never really understood the need to buy breastfeeding chairs. Lying down to feed is heaps comfy anyway.

Now that I'm experienced, there isn't a difference, but when I was a nervous new feeder it seemed to help. Plus it was good when I was pregnant as I could actually get out of it, as opposed to the couch where I couldn't.

[Peace]

I got the Valco Baby Tranquility glider and love it!! Super comfy for me and little H loves the motion when he's trying to go to sleep on me. My porky DP uses it too with him and it takes his weight ok. When I was shopping I noticed a lot of the fake leather fabrics felt like they would tear really easily. This one isn't that kind of cover though.
I feed laying down a lot at night and of an afternoon but sometimes want to sit up or socialise if we have people over so it's out in the lounge room for that reason. Oh and the arm rests are at a good height for me to put a pillow and feed on that. Good luck! They're worth it in my opinion

[MummyNaomi]

I bought a glider 2nd hand, not the padded out luxury models , A Wooden one with bum and back cushions, I found it the most comfortable place to feed as I needed to sit upright and supported to feed or my back would ache.
I prefer to lay down on the bed to feed, however not always practical hehehehehe
With DD I've used the couch a lot more and supported myself with cushions.
Our Glider has certainly paid for itself, I have rocked both kids to sleep in it for day naps and night sleeps and they both loved the rocking motion, DD still does. I have used it more for rocking to sleep than actual feeding. When I feed in it I use a u shaped b/f pillow as the arm rests are wood.
The Poangs are hard to get out of in my opinion, especially when holding a sleeping baby

[HotI]

.
The Poangs are hard to get out of in my opinion, especially when holding a sleeping baby

this is an important point!

I've never had a specific breastfeeding chair. with a newbie, I like the armchair and a triangle/boomerang pillow. my arm chair has large arm rests that I like bc I feel a bit cocooned, nice if awkward visitors are there or mum and baby are still working things out.

[Bloom]

Just on the "hard to get out of" note: I have a great breastfeeding armchairs (the previous owners of the house asked us if we wanted two of their lounge suites!) but it is quite low, so I got my Dad to make special little feet/platform things that the armchair sits on to make it higher. It wouldn't work with the poang, but I thought I'd put it out there. Nothing worse that struggling to get up with a newborn in your arms while your nether regions are sore.

[EmmaJane]

Thanks for all the replies! They've helped me to narrow down my options: I think I'll give the poang a miss, and go try out some gliders at a baby shop on the weekend instead of ordering a cheap one on ebay. Bub's due 12th November so I better get on with it! Lol.

[JLeigh29]

I think our Valco was about $300, but there are cheaper ones out there. Be sure to try them for comfort as they varied HEAPS, and what I liked, DH didn't!

[EmmaJane]

I ordered a Euro Venice after finally getting to a baby shop to try out some gliders. Thanks Amaunet for mentioning it. It was much more comfortable than the cheaper Euro Capri glider. There's also a recliner in the Euro line, which is more expensive but I thought it might have been worth it because it could become lounge furniture later, and the thought of not having an ottoman in the way was appealing. It was comfortable, but it was an effort to go from reclining to sitting position even without having a baby in my arms. I also think it would be a bit too wide between the armrests to be quite comfortable for nursing. I also went to Ikea afterwards (took a friend to get some furniture, exhausting!) and tried out the poangs. I had already decided not to get one, based on what people here have said about them being hard to get out of, but wanted to see for myself what they were like. I can definitely imagine it being a pain to get out with a baby in arms, it was hard enough without one, though it probably doesn't help being 8 months pregnant, having no abdominal strength and preferring to be sitting upright at the moment!