The Doona Car Seat Stroller â is it a strollerâŠ..is it a car seat? Well amazingly, itâs both in one!
Transforming from a car seat to stroller in seconds, the Doona has wheels attached to the car seat and legs which extend when you unfold them, turning it instantly into a ready-to-go stroller. The Doona is perfect if you donât have a lot of space either at home or in your car, because you donât need to buy a second stroller to cart around with you.
Doona Stroller Review â car seat and stroller all in one
As a mother, you have three main concerns. The first is always the safety of your baby, which means you test everything twice. The second is your babyâs level of comfort. And lastly, you want convenience. The Doona Baby Car Seat and Stroller combo gives you all of that in one â safety, comfort and super convenience!
Manufactured by âSimple Parentingâ, the Doona is literally a car seat and a stroller, all in one.
PROS
- Very convenient (baby doesnât need to be transferred back and forth)
- Saves ton of packing space (no extra stroller to pack)
- Easy to move around, even with one hand
- Great variety of colours to choose
- Lots of Doona Accessories (see accessories here)
CONS
- Little bit pricey
- Takes a bit of effort to get the knack of folding/unfolding
- Car seat is a bit heavier to lift
Given that it speaks so accurately to that âconvenienceâ youâre looking for, itâs definitely worth considering. The combination of a stroller and a car seat, which can save you quite a lot of time if you consider how quickly it transforms, why havenât noticed it before?
A hybrid design, like this one, will automatically spark a few questions and considerations, and this is exactly what youâll get in this Doona Car Seat Stroller buyers guide. At the end, you should have a good idea whether itâs the car seat you should be using.
The Doona Car Seat Stroller is only appropriate for infants, and should be used as a rear-facing car seat. There are two ways you can install it in a vehicle, and itâs done either via the latch or the carâs seatbelt.
What we like about the Doona Stroller
It canât be said enough how convenient the Doona design is. In terms of saving you valuable time and space, it doesnât really get much easier to travel. At the same time, you will be getting a premium car seat/stroller. It adheres to all FAA requirements, all the safety measures have been taken into account, and everything about the hybrid model is made with quality in mind.
In fact, itâs the type of car seat you can store away for the next baby, or pass along to a new mother. Because not only does it serve more than a practical purpose, it makes life easier for both you and your baby.
And, of course, the stroller is very easy to maneuver with only one hand, which youâll discover is very important with your first born.
What can be improved
If we are going to keep this buyerâs guide objective then the price point will most likely have you thinking twice. No, the Doona Car Seat Stroller is not the most affordable, which can place it in the âluxuryâ category for some. But in reality, the price is very competitive when taking into account the innovation behind the car seat. No corners where cut during manufacturing, and the main focus is to establish a safe way to make traveling with your baby more convenient.
The second most common issue is the weight of the car seat. However, very little lifting is done once you start using it, so you probably wonât feel much of a difference.
Doona Specifications
Itâs time to get a little more technical and focus on the specifics. Here is a breakdown of the Doona:
- Total Weight: 16.5 pounds
- Dimensions when Folded: 23.6 x 17.3 x 26 inches
- Dimensions when Unfolded: 40 x 17.3 x 32.3 inches
- Colors: Black, Grey, Beige, Turquoise, Red, Navy Blue, Burgundy, Pink, Green
- Maximum Weight: 35 pounds (average 2 years old)
- Minimum Weight: 4 pounds
- Maximum Length: 32 inches
Major features
- 5 point harness
- Transition between a car seat and stroller within seconds
- Handlebar is adjustable, and it also serves as an anti-rebound bar
- One-touch brake system
- The fabric can easily be removed and washed
- Can be used for air-travel
- 2 year warranty if you make the purchase from an authorized dealer
Our Final Verdict
If you can get past the price point, you probably wonât regret buying the Doona Car Seat Stroller. Not only is it a quality hybrid, but itâs also made with great quality, comfort, and safety. Super convenient and taking up far less space when you have a stroller and car seat combo in one. And for those who plan on traveling a lot with their new bundle of joy, this is most convenient choice you can make. It has also been tested and approved by European and US airlines.
Doona Stroller Accessories
A deeper look into all the Doona accessories that are available with the Doona Car Seat Stroller show that it really is great for travelling. They include:
Doona Essentials Bag
It fits perfectly around the handlebars of the stroller and makes carrying around essentials very easy.
- Smart and practical compartments
- Easy to clean
- Can carry up to 3 pounds
- Remove the bag before you put it in the car or before folding into a car seat
What you get:
- Doona Essentials Bag
- Changing Mat
Doona All-Day Bag
As the name suggests, there is enough space in the All-Day Bag to cover what you will potentially need for the baby. And just like the Essentials Bag, it easily fits onto the stroller without getting in the way.
Doona Snap on Storage
The Doona snap on storage is for when you need a little extra space, and it quickly snaps onto the stroller with a zip opening.
Doona Travel Bags
Doona offers two types of travel bags (in which to keep the car seat). The first is the standard travel bag, and the second comes with extra padding for more protection.
Doona Infant Insert and Head Rest
This was covered a little earlier, but it deserves to get mentioned a second time. The infant insert and head rest makes it comfortable for babies between 4 and 11 pounds.
Doona Rain Cover and Sun Extension
Easily protect your baby from the elements either with the additional rain cover, or the sun extension. If you want, you can get the 360 degree protection accessories, which blocks out the sun as well as insects. Alternatively, you can get the insect net separately.
Doona Fabric Set
If you feel itâs time for a change, you can get a fabric set to replace the original.
Set includes the following and is available in all the Doona Colours:
- Seat Cover
- Sunshade
- 2 Shoulder Pads
Doona Vehicle Seat Protector and Wheel Covers
The Doona seat protector is very handy, especially if you donât have car seat covers already.Â
- Protects and stops stains on your seat upholstery
- Repels water
- Easy to clean
- Connect to Doona wheels covers (sold separately)
- Comes with a 2 year warranty
Doona Extra Wheels
Too much mileage on the wheels? They can be replaced per set. You can also buy Doona wheel covers.
Doona frequently Asked Questions
How safe is the Doona Stroller
Everyone is thinking whether the convenience of this particular car seat does anything to reduce safety measures. The answer would beâŠno. As a car seat, it has been certified by US and EU regulatory bodies. It can also be used on an airplane. The materials that are used to make the car seat are chemical free, and side-impact protection comes standard. You will also be happy to know there is an infant-insert, which can accommodate babies as small as four pounds.
The only real safety concern issue some mothers have is the length of time a baby should be in a car seat. For newborns itâs thirty minutes, and for babies up to six months the maximum time is two hours. Now, doubling the car seat as a stroller increases the amount of time they spend in it.
Other than that, the Doona Car Seat Stroller is as safe as any other premium car seats on the market. But attention should be paid to the weight and length restrictions.Â
Extra Safety features
- Prevention of Doona folding unintentially
- Prevention of the handle extending itself by mistake
- Side impact protection with a double wall structure that absorbs impact
- Materials used are safe and hazardous free according to European safety standards
How comfortable is the Doona stroller
Before moving on to anything else, the level of comfort has to be established. And according to the general consensus, the baby usually has a very comfortable fit. In fact, youâll be hard-pressed to find a complaint from a mother whose baby canât stand the Doona. Thanks to the extra weight and easy-to-maneuver wheels, your baby is going to have a smooth ride either way.
For mom, you also have a few extra comforts. For example, the transition literally takes a couple of seconds (which is discussed in more detail later). And for quick travelling without cutting corners on safety, you are definitely going to appreciate what the Doona can do for you. Plus, it features a one-click vehicle installation.
One of the big problems, especially with an infant, is getting the frame or stroller out of the trunk, then lugging the car seat onto it. The fact that you need both to travel makes it incredibly difficult at airports and on other public transportation.
The Doona is designed to make traveling as effortless as possible, meaning itâs great for families who donât sit still for very long. If you are mother with a busy schedule, you are really going to appreciate how much time and effort this car seat saves you. The best part is that you donât have to sacrifice safety and comfort to do so.Â
Doona Stroller colours
The Doona stroller/car seat has a great variety of trendy and vibrant colours to suit everyone. As of the writing of this post, the colours it comes in are:
- Black
- Grey
- Beige
- Turquoise
- Red
- Navy Blue
- Burgundy
- Pink
- Green
How do you fold the Doona Stroller?
Even though the transition between car seat and stroller is incredibly quick, it will take a few tries to master. But here is a basic outline of how it works.
Folding
When in stroller mode, you press a button on the handlebar and push it in. At the sides of the âstrollerâ you simply push to adjust the handlebar into car seat mode. At the back of the car seat (at the top), thereâs a lever you use to make the wheels fold inward. Take note that you want to stabilize the wheels with one foot, and while holding onto the handlebar, rotate forward as you pull the lever. Without difficulty the wheels should settle underneath the seat and remain out of the way.
Unfolding
Unfolding is simply a matter of holding onto the handle bar and pulling the same lever used to retract the wheels. After the wheels come out, you pull out the handlebar and start pushing.
As mentioned, this might take two or three tries, but youâll quickly get the hang of it.
How do I clean the Doona Stroller?
The cover can easily be removed, and it can be washed in the washing machine with cold water and a delicate cycle. As for the seat materials, spot washing with a soft cloth and soap should do the trick. Overall, the Doona doesnât present any problems in terms of cleaning.
What are the Base Options for Doona Car Seat?
Finally, you can opt for an ISOFIX base, or a LATCH base.
Doona Double/Twin Stroller Option?
Unfortunately, a double stroller design from Doona isnât on the market yet. However, some moms are using their innovative skills to turn it into a double stroller, simply be connecting them manually.
Just place the strollers next to each other, making sure the seatbelt clips are right next to each other, and tie the strollers together via the handlebar. If you use something like Geartie, which is basically a twisty that allows you to get a secure connection, it shouldnât take too long to turn into into a double stroller. Thanks to the great maneuverability of the Doona, you wonât feel the difference. Just make sure everything is stable and tight.
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