Every mom knows that a good rocking chair is essential for breastfeeding. But how to find one that is chic, eco-friendly, and won’t break the bank? And as I stare down the barrel of impending motherhood, I am quickly trying to get all my breastfeeding accoutrements together – and for the longest time the rocking chair was the most elusive item on my list. There is a surprising dearth of nicely-designed rocking chairs out there – most seem either to be 80s style leather ‘gliders’ that cost and arm and a leg, or old-school granny wooden rockers that don’t look too comfy for your derriere. So you can imagine my delight when I rediscovered the Eames’ classic chair in rocker form! I’ve been a huge fan of Charles and Ray Eames for ages (what design fan isn’t?), but upon first consideration I thought that maybe the plastic RAR rocker would be a bit too cold and uncomfy for late-night feedings. But then as I started to contemplate the not-too-pretty details of baby spit-up, messy toddlers and other cleaning/staining issues, the easy-to-clean plastic chair started to look more and more appealing, and now I’m totally sold.
From an environmental standpoint, the Eames RAR Rocker takes the cake with it durable, long-lasting, simple and easy-to-clean form. This chair might be composed of steel and plastic (as opposed to the wood and polyurethane foam of most rocking chairs) – but if you thought a wood & upholstery rocking chair would be the eco-friendly choice, you would be wrong. Most polyurethane foam in cushions is nasty, off-gassing stuff, and likewise most wood that you can find in furniture these days is MDF/plywood/particle board complete with formaldehyde and other yucky VOCs. In terms of off-gassing, indoor air quality, and your family’s health, the steel and fiberglass composition of the classic Eames Rocker is definitely a safe choice. Also, as a collectible design classic which will last forever, you can be certain that this chair isn’t headed for landfill. Even if for some reason you need to get rid of it someday, you won’t have a problem finding someone willing to give it a good home.
The original Eames RAR Rocker was made from fiberglass and steel. Today you can find the official ‘Eames’ brand chair produced by Herman Miller with a recycled polypropylene shell for about $450. You can also find unofficial knockoffs made out of the same original fiberglass material, for significantly less than the polypropylene shells. Word on the street is that the fiberglass is actually the more durable and eco-friendly material – and much less expensive – so unless you feel guilty about the trademark issue, fiberglass is probably your best bet. I found my white fiberglass Eames rocker on Ebay for less than $200. + ‘Eames Inspired’ fiberglass rocker view full product details > Back to product information Fits Most Screens Up To Why do we ask for your zip code? By providing your delivery zip code, you’ll allow us to: Let you know immediately if we can service your area. Tailor our selection to make sure you see only items that can be delivered to you.