Dutailier- Do I need both recline and locking mechanisms?

[Blondechica]

Hi Everyone- I'm new to the board. I am planning to order a Dutailier glider this weekend from babycatalog.com. I cannot figure out whether I need both a lock and a recline mechanism. What exactly does a lock achieve? I guess the recline part is fairly self-explanatory, but for some reason I thought a "lock" WAS for reclining. Do I need to spend the money for both features?

Also, I've noticed that Babies R Us seems to carry model numbers that are different from the ones on the Dutailier site and babycatalog. Does Dutailier make special gliders specifically for Babies R Us? They seem to be less expensive.

THANKS!!

[nfowife]

The lock is for locking the glider so it can not glide back and forth. I think it is helpful for when baby is older and mobile, so they don't get their fingers caught in the mechanism or if they are climbing up onto the chair it is stable. The recline is self explanatory. I have the 11789 model with both (got it from babycatalog). I didn't see the need for the lock, but at the time I was buying the model with both recline and lock was cheaper than the model with just the recline alone, so I got both. I've never used the lock yet, though. I think the dutailiers at BRU that are cheaper are not the same models as through other retailers of dutailiers. If the model numbers are different they are not the same chairs.
I love my glider and spend lots of time in it! It was worth the $$.

[kimbe]

Welcome to the boards!

I have a locking glider, but not a reclining one. If I had it to do all over again, I would pick the same glider. I had a c-section and getting out of it in a locked position was a billion times easier. I also like that I can keep it locked when DD starts to be more mobile.

Sorry I can't comment on the recline, but I can't say that I have ever wished that mine did.

HTH!

[jhrabosk]

I bought one of the stock Dutailiers from Buy Buy Baby (probably comparable to the ones at Babies R Us) b/c I wasn't going to get one and then decided I needed it. I think we ended up spending $500 on glider and ottoman.

Mine doesn't have either the lock or recline. While both nice features (I really wanted the reclining one), I haven't missed them at all.

Good luck!
Jessica

[CiderLogan]

Ours reclines. I find it to be a really useful feature -- there were times I wanted to rest/sleep a bit after a late-night feeding and didn't want to move DD, so that helped. I also figured out how to BF while reclined a bit, which was more comfortable. We got a floor sample recliner so we were able to upgrade with options a bit without spending too much. In hindsight, though, I might have gone with a regular reclining chair rather than a baby-specific recliner, because then we could use it in another room post-babies. As our situation is now, I have no idea what we will do with it after we no longer have infants.

Jenny
Mom to Julia, 8/03
...and another GIRL due 5/29/06!

[emmiem]

I have two Dutailer gliders which both lock but don't recline. If I could do it again, I would skip the lock and get the recline. I never lock the chairs but after rocking a child to sleep many many time, boy would reclining be nice.
Michele

[vdrake71]

I completely agree with the locking feature if you have a c-section. I did not plan my c-section, but it was so nice not to have the chair move when you were trying to get in and out of it.

[Katigre]

We just got our glider from BRU and when i tried to find a picture of it online to show to someone i had no luck b/c of the different model number issue (i could find things very close, but not the exact one). Ours cost $399.99 and has both recline and lock.

I was advised by friends to spend the extra $ for a reclining rocker b/c when you're tired at night reclining it means you won't fall forward with the baby in your arms if you fall asleep while feeding/rocking.

[bjessen]

We have two Dutailiers, one just locks, the other has both. Both are nice, but the one with recline is much better imo. Much more comfortable late at night rocking a baby. Or, now with my heavier 2.5 yr old, reclining is just more comforable before bed than not. I use the recline all the time. Now, dh, he uses the lock often, I never use it. The lock only one (our older one), is still in dd's room. She's 5, and we have it on lock since she and her friends would go crazy on it and bang the wall (tight space in her room now with twin trundle bed, playhouses, etc). So the lock is handy to keep it stable with kids as they get older. I didn't have a c-section (came very close, within 1/2 hour, with both though), so never thought about it being handy for that as well....good to know as we may being trying for a 3rd this fall/winter and you never know.

If you have the money, get the one with both, I don't think you'll regret it. If you have to choose, I'd go with the recline personally, but sounds like if you have a c-section, the lock could come in handy.

The only thing I do regret is getting a wood finish rather than a white one for our second rocker. Now our wood stains have changed in the decor, and white would've still matched the trim, but the wood no longer matches anything. Live and learn...

[Lovingliv]

We have the lock feature which is great. I wish I had the recline feature,,,my baby has never slept well so I would have loved to rock her to sleep and take a little nap myself.