Nursing Stools vs. Ottomans ... which is best?

Hi everyone,

I'm new to these boards and was looking for some advice/input on the advantages/disadvantages of Ottomans vs. Nursing Stools. I have already purchased my rocker/glider and was thinking of purchasing an ottoman from the same place, however, I stumbled across the idea of Nursing Stools and its now become a harder decision to make. I know that the ottoman is more pricier than the nursing stool, I don't know by how much though as I'm also still trying to find out where I can find them here in Toronto, Canada. Also, am not sure if one is more comfortable than the other?

Any advice anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated. I'm running out of time to purchase my stuff as I'm 37 weeks pregnant ...

I didn't like the ottomans at all...my feet felt like they were too high and it would have really put strain on my back. I love my nursing stool, though! I think I paid $33 for a Medela stool at a local baby store, though I've also seen them in chain stores and online.

Having owned the ottoman for 6 months now, I can tell you I wish I had gotten the one WITH the nursing stool pull-out. The ottoman is much too high to nurse comfortably. It's GREAT for relaxing and rocking and such, but I almost always put my feet up on the rails underneath the ottoman when I nurse. But, I won't go out of my way to get a nursing stool either. The setup I have works ok - I'm only going it for 20 minutes 6 times a day now. If I had it to do all over, I'd probably still get the ottoman so I can use it in another room later but I'd get the nursing ottoman.
Sylvia :-)

Just passing on a suggestion from my lactation consultant. She suggested skipping the nursing stool and just using one or two phone books to prop up your feet. I ended up not nursing so I did not get a chance to test this idea out.

Maybe one of the nursing moms has tried this and can comment?

I also debated on this very issue months ago.

I decided against the Ottoman which was expensive at ~$150 U.S. and purchased the Medela nursing stool for ~$25 at a local baby store and found it very worthwhile. The stool is very comfortable during nursing, and I think the ottoman would have been too high and harder on my back. (I live in Washington, DC and purchased my rocker at www.babyfurnitureoutlet.com, a store in London, Ontario, Canada, my former home town! That store has the ottoman with the pull out).