You’ve likely seen the Doona infant car seat and stroller zipping around town and wondered if it lives up to the buzz. When I was expecting my first child, the Doona was just emerging, and with my focus on full-sized strollers and only one baby at the time, it didn’t seem essential. Fast forward to my third pregnancy, and suddenly, everyone was raving about this car seat stroller revolution. Juggling two older kids, the promise of a seamless car seat-to-stroller transition became incredibly appealing. So, I took the plunge and bought the Doona, the infant car seat that transforms into a stroller with a simple click. But the big question remains: Is the Doona car seat stroller truly worth its $550 price tag? Here’s my honest, in-depth review to help you decide.
If you’re here, you’re probably seriously considering the Doona car seat stroller combo. Its popularity is undeniable, and for good reason. The Doona boasts incredible convenience, transforming from a car seat to a stroller in mere seconds thanks to its innovative design. This 2-in-1 system seems like the perfect solution for busy, on-the-go parents and frequent travelers. While the Doona definitely simplifies life, especially in certain situations, it’s not a straightforward “must-have” for everyone. My review will break down the pros and cons to help you determine if the Doona is the right fit for your family and lifestyle. Keep reading to discover if this car seat stroller is truly worth the investment for you.
The Upsides of the Doona Car Seat Stroller
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Space-Saving Design: One of the most significant advantages of the Doona is its small footprint. You completely eliminate the need for a separate stroller taking up precious trunk space. The seamless car seat to compact stroller conversion simplifies outings with your newborn, especially in crowded spaces or when storage is limited. Imagine effortlessly transitioning from car to sidewalk without wrestling with a bulky stroller frame!
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Superior Infant Comfort and Support: The Doona car seat is designed with your baby’s comfort in mind. The seat provides excellent head support and overall cushioning, creating a cozy and secure environment for your little one. It genuinely looks like a comfortable and safe space for infants.
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Airline Approved for Travel: For jet-setting families, the Doona is a game-changer. It’s FAA aircraft approved, meaning you can bring it on board. No more juggling a separate car seat and stroller through airports! This feature alone can significantly reduce travel stress.
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Versatile Installation Options: The Doona can be installed using a car seat base or simply with a seatbelt. This makes it ideal for families who may not own a car or for travel situations where you’re using taxis or rental cars. Keep the base in your primary vehicle and utilize the seatbelt installation when you’re on the go.
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Unmatched Ease of Use and Convenience: The Doona’s standout feature is its ease of use. The car seat effortlessly converts into a stroller quickly and smoothly. This rapid transformation is a lifesaver for busy parents, making everyday errands and outings significantly less stressful.
Weighing the Downsides: Potential Drawbacks of the Doona
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Base Stability Concerns: One notable con is that the Doona base lacks a support leg. While the Doona is certified safe and meets safety standards, some car seat experts advocate for bases with a leg for enhanced stability and safety in certain crash scenarios. Consulting with car seat safety resources might be beneficial for understanding this aspect further.
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Limited Storage Capacity: The Doona offers minimal to no storage. To carry essentials, you’ll likely need to purchase the Doona essentials bag. While these bags are designed to complement the Doona, it’s an additional expense and a consideration for parents who are used to ample stroller storage. As a parent of multiple children, minimizing what I carry is key, but for some, the lack of built-in storage might be a deal-breaker.
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Sun Canopy Coverage: The Doona’s sun canopy is relatively small and may not provide sufficient sun protection, especially for a sleeping baby. While a sunshade extension is available, reviews on its effectiveness are mixed. Sun protection is crucial for infants, so this is an important factor to consider.
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Weight Consideration: The Doona itself is a relatively heavy car seat, weighing 16.5 pounds before adding your baby. While the stroller function minimizes carrying distance, lifting it in and out of the car is still required. For individuals with back issues, like myself, it’s manageable due to the limited lifting involved, but it’s worth noting the weight.
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Car Installation Learning Curve: While generally easy to use, installing the Doona base and ensuring a secure latch can be a bit clunky initially. It may require some practice and “wiggling” to get it locked in correctly. However, once mastered, it becomes quicker than managing both a car seat and a separate stroller in and out of the car.
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Not Suitable for Growing Families: The Doona is designed as a single infant car seat and stroller system. It does not offer options for adding a second seat for subsequent children. Families planning to have more children close in age will need to consider alternative stroller solutions as their family grows.
My Choice: The Doona Midnight Edition
The Doona infant car seat comes in a range of vibrant colors. However, I was drawn to the sophisticated aesthetic of the Midnight Collection. This edition features a stylish all-black design with a black leatherette handlebar and elegant diamond-print fabrics. A matching Doona Essentials bag is also included, adding to the coordinated look and practicality.
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Integrated Travel System: The Doona’s built-in wheels seamlessly unfold, transforming it into an all-in-one travel system. The ease of this conversion is truly remarkable and user-friendly.
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Anti-Rebound Handle Design: The adjustable car seat handle cleverly functions as an anti-rebound bar when installed in the car, enhancing safety in the event of a collision.
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Safety-Conscious Materials: Doona prioritizes safety by using materials that are free of PVC and other potentially harmful chemicals, providing peace of mind for parents concerned about their baby’s exposure to toxins.
Doona
Doona + Midnight Edition
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Doona+ Infant Car Seat Stroller and Base
Delving Deeper into the Doona Car Seat Stroller
The Doona stands out as an exceptional car seat that quickly converts to a stroller, offering unparalleled convenience for parents. It’s designed for babies weighing between 4 and 35 pounds and includes an infant insert to ensure proper ergonomic positioning for newborns. Safety is a key focus, with features like unique 3-layer side impact protection and adherence to both European and US safety standards. The Doona also incorporates a secure 5-point safety harness and a handle that transforms into anti-rebound bar crash technology for added security in car accidents. The ergonomic infant insert further enhances safety and comfort for the youngest passengers, making it one of the safer car seats in its category.
The Doona’s adjustable handlebar offers two length settings and four positions, adapting to different needs. It functions as a standard stroller handlebar (long) and a car seat/anti-rebound bar length. The upright car seat handle position is also space-saving in restaurants or tight spaces. Lowering the handle in stroller mode even makes it a comfortable pushing height for older siblings.
Converting the Doona from car seat to stroller mode is incredibly simple. Just pull a latch on the back and lift up to deploy the wheels. The process is quick, intuitive, and requires minimal effort.
While the Doona offers great convenience, it’s worth noting the recommendation from car seat experts for bases with a support leg, such as those found on models like the Clek Liing. For families prioritizing maximum car seat safety and extended rear-facing use, options like the Liing paired with a separate stroller might be considered. However, for travel, quick trips, and families without a car, the Doona remains an excellent, highly practical option.
Real-Life Use: The Doona Car Seat Stroller On-the-Go
While I haven’t yet ventured out solo with all three kids, our recent family outing downtown highlighted the Doona’s practicality. Even with our double stroller for the older children, the Doona was incredibly useful. In situations where both parents are present, combining the Doona with a double stroller is an ideal setup. There have been times when I wished I could have both my older children in strollers, and for full-day outings or long walks, pairing the Doona with our double stroller and using the Doona solely as a car seat would be my preferred approach.
The Verdict: Is the Doona Car Seat Stroller Worth It?
Ultimately, the Doona car seat stroller is a worthwhile investment under specific circumstances. I recommend it most strongly when there’s a 3+ year age gap between the baby and the next oldest sibling. If your older child or children are generally past the stroller stage, or if you are a frequent traveler, the Doona can be a perfect solution. For families who travel often, the convenience of the Doona for navigating airports and destinations outweighs the need for separate car seats and strollers.
While improvements like reduced weight, increased storage, or a base with a support leg would be welcome, these are minor drawbacks compared to the overall convenience and functionality the Doona offers.
However, if you have another child who still frequently uses a stroller, or if you tend to carry a lot of baby gear, the Doona might not be the most practical primary stroller. Using the Doona as the only stroller with three kids, especially with an older toddler still needing stroller assistance, would be challenging. In such cases, a traditional infant car seat like the Clek Liing paired with a versatile stroller might be a better fit.
For our current family stage, the Doona is mostly perfect. The ease of not having to set up a stroller and attach a car seat for daily errands is invaluable. Getting three kids in and out of the car is a process, and the Doona significantly streamlines this. Its compact size when we’re out and about is also a major plus.
The Best Double Stroller
This stroller is easy to push, great for travel, and Disney approved. Read on to find out why I love it as much as i do.
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