You’ve likely seen the buzz around the Doona Car Seat And Stroller. This innovative piece of baby gear promises to simplify life for parents with its seamless transition from car seat to stroller. As a mom of three, I was intrigued. With two older kids already in tow when my youngest arrived, the idea of a car seat that instantly transforms into a stroller seemed like a game-changer. I decided to try the Doona, hoping it would live up to the hype and justify its $550 price tag. After using it extensively, I’m sharing my honest review to help you decide if the Doona car seat stroller is the right choice for your family.
Is the Doona truly worth the investment? It’s undeniably convenient and has become a popular choice for many parents, especially those living in urban environments or who travel frequently. Its unique design allows you to effortlessly switch from car to strolling in seconds, making it an appealing solution for busy lifestyles. However, it’s not a perfect product for everyone. In this review, I’ll break down the pros and cons of the Doona car seat stroller based on my personal experience. While it offers significant advantages in certain situations, it’s crucial to understand its limitations to determine if it aligns with your specific needs and circumstances. Keep reading to discover the detailed benefits and drawbacks of the Doona and whether it earns my full recommendation.
Pros of the Doona Car Seat Stroller
The Doona boasts several compelling advantages that contribute to its popularity among parents:
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Space-Saving Design: One of the most significant benefits of the Doona is its compact footprint. Traditional car seat and stroller setups require separate items, often taking up valuable trunk space. The Doona eliminates this issue by integrating the stroller directly into the car seat. This seamless transition from car seat to compact stroller simplifies outings with your newborn, especially when space is limited.
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Exceptional Head Support and Comfort: The Doona car seat is designed with superior head support and cushioning. The seat gently cradles your baby’s body, creating a comfortable and secure environment. This is particularly important for newborns who require extra support and stability.
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FAA Approved for Air Travel: Traveling with a baby can be challenging, but the Doona simplifies air travel considerably. It is FAA aircraft approved, meaning you can use it as a car seat on the plane and then as a stroller in the airport and at your destination. This eliminates the need to bring both a separate car seat and stroller when flying.
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Versatile Installation Options: The Doona can be used with or without its base, offering flexibility for various situations. For everyday use in your primary vehicle, the base provides quick and secure installation. However, the Doona can also be installed using just a seat belt, making it ideal for families who don’t own a car or for travel in taxis or ride-sharing services. Keep the base in your car 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. Converting from car seat to stroller is incredibly quick and easy – it truly takes just seconds. This effortless transformation is a significant advantage for busy parents, making everyday errands and outings much smoother and less stressful.
Cons of the Doona Car Seat Stroller
Despite its many advantages, the Doona also has some drawbacks that are worth considering:
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Base Lacks a Leg for Enhanced Safety: While the Doona is certified safe and meets safety standards, a notable con is that its base does not include a support leg. Support legs, found in some other car seat bases, provide an extra point of contact with the vehicle floor, enhancing stability and reducing rotation in the event of a crash. While the Doona is still safe, some safety experts, like the Car Seat Lady, recommend bases with support legs for optimal safety. For those prioritizing the absolute safest option, this is a factor to consider. (Note: link to a car seat with a leg base could be added here, as in the original article)
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Limited Storage and No Cup Holders: Practical storage is often essential for parents on the go. The Doona, in its basic form, lacks storage space and cup holders. To address this, Doona offers essential bags designed to attach to the stroller. While these bags provide some storage, they are an additional purchase. As a mom of three, I’ve learned to minimize what I carry, and the Doona essentials bag does suffice for shorter trips, but it’s not as convenient as built-in storage.
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Sun Canopy Offers Minimal Coverage: The Doona’s sun canopy is quite small and doesn’t provide extensive sun protection, especially for a sleeping baby. Doona sells a separate sunshade extension, but reviews on its effectiveness are mixed, and it’s another extra cost. For sunny climates or extended outdoor use, sun protection might be a concern.
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Heavier Than Standard Infant Car Seats: The Doona weighs 16.5 pounds before adding your baby. This is heavier than many traditional infant car seats. While the stroller function minimizes carrying it around, lifting it in and out of the car is still necessary. For someone with back issues, like myself, it’s manageable because you primarily lift it directly up and down rather than carrying it long distances. However, the weight is something to be aware of.
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Installation Can Be Slightly Fussy: While generally user-friendly, installing the Doona base and ensuring it’s properly latched can be a bit clunky and require some wiggling. It’s not overly difficult, but it’s not as straightforward as some other car seat base installations. It’s important to take the time to ensure it’s correctly installed for safety.
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Not Convertible to a Double Stroller: For families with multiple young children, the Doona’s single-seat design is a limitation. It does not convert into a double stroller, so it’s not ideal if you frequently need to transport two young children simultaneously.
Doona Midnight Edition: A Stylish Upgrade
The Doona is available in various colors, and I opted for the Midnight Edition. This version features a sleek all-black design with a black leatherette handlebar and diamond-print fabrics, offering a more sophisticated look. The Midnight Edition also includes a matching Doona Essentials bag, which is a practical and stylish addition.
Key features of the Doona highlighted in all editions, including the Midnight Collection, include:
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Integrated Wheels: The built-in wheels easily unfold from underneath the car seat, transforming it into a stroller in seconds. This all-in-one travel system is incredibly convenient and user-friendly.
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Anti-Rebound Bar Handle: The adjustable car seat handle serves as an anti-rebound bar when installed in the car. This safety feature enhances protection in the event of a collision.
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Safe and Non-Toxic Materials: Doona prioritizes safety and uses materials free of PVC and other hazardous chemicals, providing peace of mind for parents concerned about their baby’s exposure to potentially harmful substances.
Doona Midnight Edition
Doona+ Infant Car Seat Stroller and Base
Understanding the Doona: Features and Functionality
The Doona is designed for infants weighing 4 to 35 pounds. It includes a newborn insert that properly positions and supports smaller babies ergonomically. The Doona prioritizes safety with features like unique 3-layer side impact protection and compliance with both European and US safety standards. It features a secure 5-point safety harness and a handle that acts as an anti-rebound bar, adding an extra layer of safety in car accidents. The ergonomic infant insert further enhances safety and comfort for newborns.
The Doona’s adjustable handlebar is another versatile feature. It offers two length settings and four adjustable positions. You can use it at a standard stroller height (extended), as a car seat handle/anti-rebound bar, or upright in car seat mode, which is helpful in tight spaces like restaurants. Lowering the handle in stroller mode also makes it a comfortable height for older siblings to push.
The car seat-to-stroller conversion is incredibly simple. Just pull a latch on the back of the car seat and lift to release the wheels. It’s a remarkably quick and intuitive process.
While the Doona offers convenience, it’s important to acknowledge that some car seat experts recommend bases with support legs for potentially enhanced safety, such as the Clek Liing. If maximum safety is your top priority, especially for frequent car travel, a system like the Liing with a separate stroller might be preferable for everyday use. However, the Doona remains an excellent option for travel, quick errands, and situations where convenience and space-saving are paramount.
Using the Doona for On-the-Go Families
While I haven’t yet ventured out with all three kids alone using just the Doona, I’ve experienced its benefits firsthand when out with my partner and all three children. In situations where we need our double stroller for the older kids, the Doona is a fantastic addition. It allows one adult to easily manage the baby while the other handles the double stroller. There have been times when I wished I had a stroller for both my toddler and baby, and in those situations, combining a double stroller with the Doona would be ideal. For longer outings or walks, using the Doona as a car seat and bringing along a double stroller provides the most flexibility.
Final Verdict: Is the Doona Car Seat Stroller Worth It?
The Doona car seat stroller is undoubtedly a worthwhile investment under specific circumstances. I believe it’s particularly beneficial if there is a 3+ year age gap between the baby and the next oldest sibling. This is because older children in this age range are less likely to consistently need stroller assistance, allowing the Doona to shine for the baby. If you are a frequent traveler or value convenience and space-saving above all else, the Doona is an excellent choice. The ease of transitioning from car to stroller is invaluable for travel and quick trips.
Do I have minor wishes for improvement? Certainly. A lighter weight and more storage would be welcome, and I do wish the base included a support leg for added peace of mind regarding safety.
However, if you have another child who still frequently uses a stroller or if you need to carry a significant amount of baby gear, the Doona might not be the most practical standalone solution. For families with toddlers who still need stroller assistance, a separate car seat and double stroller combination, or a car seat like the Clek Liing paired with a compatible stroller, could be more suitable.
For my current stage of life with a baby and older children who are mostly out of strollers, the Doona is mostly perfect. The convenience of not needing to set up a separate stroller and car seat for everyday outings is a huge time-saver. Getting three kids in and out of the car is a process, and the Doona significantly simplifies at least one aspect of it. I also appreciate its compact size when we’re out and about. Ultimately, the Doona’s value depends on your individual needs and lifestyle.
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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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