You’ve likely seen it – the car seat that magically transforms into a stroller. The Doona Car Seat And Stroller has become a recognizable symbol of convenience for parents navigating life with a newborn. When I was expecting my first baby, a full-sized stroller seemed like the standard, and the Doona felt like an unnecessary luxury. My second arrived during the pandemic, and baby gear was far from my priority list. But by baby number three, the Doona was everywhere, lauded as a game-changer. Suddenly, with two older kids in tow, the allure of a seamless car seat-stroller transition was undeniable. I took the plunge and got the Doona, eager to see if it lived up to the hype.
So, is the Doona car seat stroller truly worth the investment, especially with its $550 price tag? Having used it extensively, I’m here to give you my honest, in-depth review. If you’re considering the Doona, you’re in the right place. It’s undeniably convenient and the innovative design that switches from car seat to stroller in seconds is incredibly appealing, particularly for busy parents. If you’re always on the go, travel frequently, or simply value ease of use, the Doona promises to simplify your life.
In this review, I’ll break down the pros and cons, sharing my personal experiences and insights. While the Doona has many advantages, it’s not a straightforward “yes” for everyone. Whether it’s the right choice for you depends heavily on your specific lifestyle and family needs. Let’s dive into the details to help you decide if the Doona car seat and stroller is the right fit for your family.
The Upsides: Pros of the Doona Car Seat and Stroller
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Space-Saving Design: One of the most significant advantages of the Doona is its incredibly small footprint. Say goodbye to bulky strollers hogging your trunk space! The seamless transition from car seat to stroller means you have one less piece of baby gear to worry about. This is a game-changer for everyday errands, appointments, and especially for families with smaller cars or limited storage space. The integrated design simplifies life with a newborn, making quick trips out of the house much less stressful.
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Exceptional Infant Comfort and Support: The Doona is designed with your baby’s comfort in mind. The seat is well-cushioned and provides excellent support for a newborn’s delicate body, particularly the head. It genuinely looks like a comfortable and secure environment for your little one. This is crucial for those early months when babies need extra support and protection.
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Travel-Friendly and FAA Approved: For families who love to travel, the Doona is a dream. It’s FAA aircraft approved, eliminating the hassle of bringing both a car seat and a stroller on flights. This is a massive convenience for air travel, streamlining the airport experience and reducing the amount of gear you need to manage.
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Versatile Installation Options: The Doona can be used with or without its base, making it incredibly versatile. While it comes with a base for easy click-in installation in your primary vehicle, it can also be securely installed using just a seatbelt. This is perfect for families who use ride-sharing services, taxis, or when traveling and using rental cars. Keep the base in your car and still have a safe car seat option wherever you go.
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Unmatched Ease of Use and Convenience: The core appeal of the Doona lies in its effortless transformation. Converting the car seat to a stroller and back is incredibly quick and easy, often described as taking just seconds. This ease of use is a lifesaver for busy parents juggling multiple tasks and little ones. The seamless transition minimizes fuss and maximizes efficiency, making everyday outings smoother and more manageable.
The Downsides: Cons to Consider Before Buying a Doona
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Base Lacks a Load Leg: While the Doona is a safe car seat, one notable con is that the base doesn’t include a load leg. Load legs extend from the base to the vehicle floor, providing extra stability and reducing rotation in the event of a crash. While the Doona meets all safety standards, some car seat safety experts, like the Car Seat Lady, prefer bases with load legs for enhanced safety. For parents prioritizing the absolute highest level of car seat safety, this might be a point to consider and compare with alternatives like the Clek Liing.
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Limited Storage and No Cup Holders: Practicality is key for parents, and the Doona falls short in storage. It doesn’t offer built-in storage or cup holders, common features in many strollers. To address this, Doona offers an essentials bag designed to attach to the stroller. While helpful, it’s an additional purchase and adds to the overall cost. As a mom of three, I’ve learned to carry less, and the essentials bag has been sufficient for short trips.
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Sun Canopy Coverage is Minimal: The sun canopy on the Doona is quite small and doesn’t provide extensive sun protection, especially for a sleeping baby. Doona sells a sunshade extension, but reviews are mixed, and it’s another extra expense. For sunny climates or frequent outdoor use, sun protection might be a concern.
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It’s a Heavier Car Seat: At 16.5 pounds before you add your baby, the Doona is heavier than many standard infant car seats. While the stroller wheels negate the need to carry it long distances, lifting it in and out of the car can be noticeable, especially for those with back issues. Personally, with a history of back problems, I’ve found it manageable because you primarily lift it directly in and out of the car, which I find easier than carrying a separate car seat.
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Car Installation Can Be Fiddly: While generally easy to use, installing the Doona base and ensuring a secure latch connection can be a bit clunky. It might require some wiggling to get it to lock properly. It’s not overly difficult, but it’s not as seamless as some other car seat base installations. However, it’s still arguably easier than managing both a car seat and a separate stroller in and out of the car.
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No Option for a Second Seat: For families with multiple young children, the Doona’s single-seat design is a limitation. If you have a toddler who still needs a stroller, the Doona won’t accommodate both children simultaneously.
My Doona: Choosing the Midnight Edition
The Doona comes in a range of vibrant colors, but I opted for the sleek Midnight Edition. I was drawn to its sophisticated all-black design, featuring a black leatherette handlebar and stylish diamond-print fabrics. The Midnight Edition also includes the matching Doona Essentials bag, which is a nice bonus.
Key features of all Doona models, including the Midnight Edition, include:
- Integrated Wheels: The built-in wheels are the heart of the Doona’s convenience. They unfold smoothly from underneath the car seat, creating an all-in-one travel system that is incredibly user-friendly.
- Adjustable Handle with Anti-Rebound Function: The adjustable car seat handle serves a dual purpose. When installed in the car, it acts as an anti-rebound bar, adding an extra layer of safety in case of a collision.
- Safe and Non-Toxic Materials: Doona prioritizes safety not just in design but also in materials. The Doona is made from materials free of PVC and other potentially harmful chemicals.
Doona
Doona + Midnight Edition
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Doona+ Infant Car Seat Stroller and Base
Delving Deeper: About the Doona’s Features
The Doona is more than just a car seat that turns into a stroller; it’s packed with thoughtful features designed for safety and convenience. It’s suitable for babies weighing 4 to 35 pounds and includes a newborn insert that ensures proper ergonomic positioning for the smallest infants.
Safety is paramount, and the Doona boasts unique 3-layer side impact protection and meets both European and US safety standards. The secure 5-point harness and the handle, which transforms into an anti-rebound bar during car rides, provide enhanced protection in the event of an accident. The ergonomic infant insert further cradles your baby, making the Doona a strong contender in terms of car seat safety.
The adjustable handlebar is another well-designed feature, offering two length settings and four adjustable positions. It can function as a standard stroller handle (extended), a car seat handle/anti-rebound bar (in car seat mode), an upright car seat carry handle, and can even be lowered in stroller mode to a height suitable for older siblings to push.
Converting between car seat and stroller modes is truly simple. Just pull a latch on the back of the car seat and lift to deploy the wheels. It’s remarkably intuitive and quick, a real advantage for busy parents.
While the Car Seat Lady prefers a base with a load leg, like those found with the Clek Liing, she acknowledges the Doona as a good car seat, particularly for specific needs. For families prioritizing the absolute safest option, especially for extended rear-facing use (which I highly recommend and practiced with my older children until 4.5 years old), the Clek Liing paired with a separate stroller might be the preferred choice. However, the Doona excels in convenience for short trips, travel, and for families who don’t own a car.
Real-World Use: Using the Doona On-the-Go
While I haven’t yet braved solo outings with all three kids, the Doona has already proven its worth. Recently, when we took all three children downtown, our double stroller was essential, but the Doona was a valuable addition. With two adults, having the Doona and the double stroller allowed us to navigate easily. There have been times when I wished I could have both my older children in strollers, and in those situations, I would opt for our double stroller and use the Doona solely as a car seat. However, for shorter trips and errands, the Doona’s convenience shines.
Final Verdict: Is the Doona Car Seat and Stroller Worth the Investment?
The Doona car seat and stroller is undoubtedly worth it under specific circumstances. I believe it’s ideal for families with a 3+ year age gap between the baby and the next oldest child. If your older children are generally past stroller age, or if you are a frequent traveler, the Doona could be a perfect investment. The convenience for travel alone can justify the cost if you travel often enough.
Do I wish it was lighter or had more storage? Perhaps. And a base with a load leg would definitely enhance its safety rating. However, for the convenience it offers, especially for parents of newborns and infants who are constantly in and out of the car, the Doona is incredibly valuable.
If you have another young 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 single stroller solution. In those cases, a traditional infant car seat and stroller system or even a double stroller setup might be more suitable. If safety is your absolute top priority and convenience is secondary, the Clek Liing and a separate stroller could be a better alternative.
However, for this stage of life with three kids, the Doona is mostly perfect. The ease of not having to set up a stroller frame and attach a car seat for quick trips is a huge time-saver. Getting three kids in and out of the car is already a process, and the Doona simplifies at least one aspect of it. I also appreciate its compact size when we’re out and about.
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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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