A Review of the Nestig Drift Glider Recliner, AKA My Nursery MVP As a First-Time Mom

Nestig is known for its stylish and functional children’s furniture and decor. The popular 3-in-1 convertible crib put the baby brand on the map, and now (finally!) its made-to-order gliders and recliners are here to help you through bedtime routines, night shift feedings and all those newborn contact naps.

In true Nestig fashion, design is at the forefront of this cozy offering. Available in five distinct styles—including The Dawn, The Dusk, The Cosma, The Starling and (my pick) The Drift—as well as a boatload of gorgeous prints and patterns ranging from gingham to floral, this is Nestig’s first foray into the glider market. If you’re interested in trying one yourself, here’s everything you need to know about The Drift Glider Recliner, plus my honest review as a new mom after four months of testing.

Fast Facts

• Pricing: From $1,099 to $1,599, made to order
• Recline Options: Two, manual or automatic (electric)
• Fabric Options: 14 colors/patterns across three fabric tiers (signature, premium and luxe). Pricing varies. All fabrics are designed to be water-repellent and easy to clean.
• Base Options: Two, metal or wood
• Movement: Forward/backward gliding motion. Automatic recline rotates 180 degrees, manual recline rotates 360 degrees.
• Size: Metal base: 28” W x 43.7” D x 38.4” H; wood base: 28” W x 43/7” D x 39” H
• Weight: 100 to 153 pounds, depending on style
• Assembly: Arrives in two pieces (base and backrest) for one-step assembly. No tools required.
• Weight Limit: 300 pounds
• Delivery Time: ~7 weeks
• Return Policy: Return within 60 days for a full refund
• The Chair I Tested: The Drift in celadon gingham with a wooden base and automatic recline

This year, I’m all about the coziness of the English countryside home trend (think a modern take on Iris’s winter cottage in The Holiday, plunked down in the middle of the tri-state area). The soft lines and nostalgic feel of The Drift was exactly what I was looking for, with a wooden base and eye-catching shape that feels whimsical enough for a nursery but not too cutesy or childlike.

Knowing this piece would be a focal point of my otherwise neutral nursery, I went with the bolder gingham print fabric in a muted celadon hue to complement my freshly painted sage green walls—and the risk totally paid off. It’s as stunning in person as it is online and brings so much character to the space without taking over. Plus, the overall footprint is surprisingly modest, so if you’re working with a small space, it won’t take up much real estate. 

When designing this room, a rustic and earthy aesthetic was my guiding light, and this chair became the anchor point for it all.

The Set Up

In-home delivery isn’t an option here, so expect your Nestig chair to arrive door-side in a box (my delivery driver was kind enough to help me maneuver it into the house). The box is heavy—like 150 pounds heavy—so moving it requires quite a bit of muscle. If you’re pregnant, take this as an opportunity to call on some neighbors and practice delegating.

The chair is shipped in just two pieces: the base and the backrest, meaning assembly couldn’t be easier. With zero tools required, simply pop the backrest onto the base and take a seat. If you opted for the automatic version like me, make sure you position the chair near an outlet or power strip with enough clearance on the back wall to fully recline (about 22 inches).

When it comes to the experience, there’s so much to love about the Nestig Drift beyond its pretty façade. As you settle in, you’re met with plush cushioning and a not-too-deep seat that’s roomy enough for story time snuggles but supportive enough for a marathon feeding session. The armrests are thin but cozy, meaning you can’t rest your phone on them, but they’re great for an elbow. And I love the lip on either side of the backrest, acting as a place for mom or dad to discreetly lay their head while humming a lullaby or enjoying the peace and quiet as baby drifts off to sleep.

The Glider & Recliner Mechanism

As a glider, it’s great, smoothly moving forward and back and side to side with just the slightest flex of a foot. But as a recliner, it's downright dangerously comfortable, with cushioning and support that's simple but effective. On the nights that felt never-ending—where sleep regressions won and our strategically planned schedule went right out the window—I’d settle in, fully reclined, baby in arms, and enjoy the respite of a cozy, reliable place to land, stirring however many hours later free of neck kinks or back aches. With the automatic recline, I was nervous the mechanism would be too loud or jerky for a sensitive, sleeping baby, but it was smooth and whisper-quiet.

The Performance Fabric

I’ve heard fellow parents joke that babies have a sixth sense—just when you think you’ve figured them out, they pull a fast one on you. Similarly, as if he could sense the purity emanating from my spotless new chair, my son woke up one night feverish and fussy, followed by a projectile puke that covered the gingham fabric like a slap in the face. Since then, we’ve dealt with two more bouts of daycare norovirus, and each time, the chair has taken a beating. Luckily, the Nestig Drift was built for nurseries (not conservatories), so cleaning the water repellent, stain-resistant fabric was a total breeze.

For the Next Iteration…

With any new launch, no matter the brand, there’s always room for improvement—especially when breaking into a brand-new category. If I were filling out a feedback form, I’d suggest moving the recline controls from the inside of the armrest to the outside since, as baby got older and more mobile, he’d occasionally kick the buttons, sending us forward and back (tons of fun for him, a bit of a nuisance for mom). I’d also suggest adding a USB port for easy phone or nightlight charging.

Unfortunately, the wooden base of my pre-order sample was a little wonky—like a wobbly table at a restaurant, it required a bit of adjusting to help it lie flat. But before shipping to customers, Nestig confirmed they made some notable upgrades, including changing the "square base to a circular base for a smoother rocking experience" and swapping the base's wood interior brackets to metal (along with changing their placement) to ensure stability.

As most parents know, there can be a lot of discomforts during the first few months at home with a baby—but your nursery chair shouldn’t be one of them. The Nestig Drift Glider Recliner is a comfortable and capable option, but its stylish design and performance fabric are truly what set it apart. As my nursery MVP, I get a little hit of joy every time I pass by this quiet corner of our home, and when I close my eyes (either in exhaustion or enlightenment), it exists like a mental vignette of my son’s childhood: magical, fleeting but forever ours.   

One day, I’ll adore it just as much in our living room as I do in the nursery. But for now, I’ll grab a book, settle in and enjoy the ride.