When I first heard about Doona Car Seat Stroller, my very first questions were, "does it meet all the safety standards?" "Is it comfortable for the baby and me to push?" "Will it replace my regular travel system?" "How does it maneuver?" and "On what terrains can I use it?" Since you are reading this, you probably want answers to the same questions.
Now that I have put my hands on this beauty, I feel I can explain to you precisely what this car seat stroller is and what it isn't. Read along.
Review
If you've scoured the internet for Doona Infant Car Seat stroller reviews, you must have realized that this is currently one of the best-selling travel systems in 2020. At a glance, its key selling feature is the fact that it combines the stroller and the car seat in one single unit.
This means that unlike the travel systems that we are used to, you'll no longer need to deal with taking the stroller from the boot and unfolding it, and then lift the seat out of the car for strapping on the stroller. Actually, with the Doona car seat stroller, nothing goes in the boot of the vehicle because the wheels and handle are fixated on the car seat frame.
What is included?
- Doona car seat
- Infant insert and head support
- Vehicle seat protector
- Latch base
Compatible Age Range (weight and height limits)
Doona is a Group 0+ rear-facing car seat implying that your child will fit on it from 4 lbs until he/she is either 35 lbs or 32 inches in height. The seat comes with a detachable insert and a head portion for added head protection.
Basically, your baby will only be able to use this stroller for the first year (or utmost 15 months), and then you'll need to switch to a convertible seat with higher weight and height limits, and of course a normal stroller.
Comfort
Comfort is one of this car seat's strengths. The detachable insert that I have just mentioned above accommodates infants up to 11 months. Even after removing the insert, this car seat remains super comfortable throughout its usable period thanks to its super-soft interior. The baby can comfortably nap in it.
However, as the child grows, the head protection- which should stay installed at all times- starts becoming a little bit constraining and might eventually be uncomfortable as the rider nears the end of the spectrum.
Again, keep in mind that Doona is just what it is: a car seat. When used in stroller mode, you won't be able to adjust its angles when the baby reaches toddlerhood. Another very important highlight is that since the seat does not lie-flat, you'll be wise to limit the time that your baby spends in it to utmost 2 hours per session similar to standard car seats.
Safety
This is one of the many areas that Doona Car Seat Stroller gets a lot of marks. Simple Parenting points out clearly that Doona has passed infant car seat safety standards both in the USA and Europe. Besides the head protection portion, this seat's body boasts two layers of sturdy, energy-absorbing plastic and foam to keep the baby safe in case of a collision.
The seat has a 5-point harness system, so there's no way the baby is wiggling out of it no matter how active she is. But what I like most is that when the infant seat is installed in the car, the extendable handlebar leans on the car seat. This offers another level of anti-rebound protection by preventing the seat from shifting towards the baby in case of an impact.
Even better, Doona meets all FAA standards, so you can comfortably take it in almost all planes. Its 2-in-1 design means that you won't have to gate-check a stroller separately.
Of course it’s always best to confirm this by contacting the airline, you’re flying with, directly.
Canopy and Fabrics
The fabrics used for this car seat stroller successfully complements its overall high-end design and feel. The canopy is waterproof and made of UPF 50+ material for optimum protection from harmful sun rays. Worth pointing out, although the canopy is extendable, it does not reach all the way to the baby's knees as some of the regular strollers do. The upside of this is that the baby has an incredible view of the world around her during strolls.
As it's the case with kids, the canopy, insert, and head protector pads will get quite dirty with time. Luckily, all of these are removable, so cleaning is a breeze.
Let's talk about installing it in your car
The most exciting bit about Doona is that although you'll get it with the latch base, you can install it in any vehicle with the seat belt only. This allows you to use the infant car seat easily in taxis, friends' cars, and even on the bus and tram.
Even if you opt to go with the base, you'll find using it very straightforward as it utilizes an easy-to-use latch system.
How does it convert into stroller mode from car seat mode?
At first, this process might seem intimidating, but it's actually very simple. After you have released the infant seat from the latch base or seat belt, you only need to rotate the handle into upright position (explained below) by pressing two buttons on both sides. Next, press and squeeze up a red button at the back of the seat to release the wheels and voila! You are good to roll.
Thanks to this design, you can transition from car seat mode to stroller in utmost 20 seconds. This is unlike regular travel systems where you'd have first to remove the stroller from the boot, unfold it, then lift the infant car seat from the car and position it on the stroller.
Transitioning from stroller mode to car seat mode is even easier: simply press down the handlebar and move it into an upright position, press and squeeze up the red wheel release button at the back of the seat, then gently push the stroller forward. The wheelbase should fold back and click as it locks into place.
Multiple Handlebar Positions
Something else that I have to mention in this Doona Car Seat stroller review is the multiple handlebar positions. You can rotate the handle into three positions. The first is the car seat mode position that prevents the car seat from dangerously shifting forward.
The second is the upright position. This position comes in handy in stroller mode, and it makes it possible to pull the stroller alongside you as opposed to pushing it. The third position is the on-the-go mode that allows you to push the baby in front of you. That's what I call versatility.
There’s one thing you should keep in mind. Since the handlebar is always attached to the car seat, it cannot be very long. Therefore Doona is most comfortable to push for shorter people. For tall parents the handlebar may feel too short. This is the tradeoff for having the 2in1 car seat stroller.
How is it like to push the Doona Car Seat Stroller?
There's nothing like it! Considering its compact size (honestly, it's an infant car seat on wheels!), it pushes SO EASILY. If your day involves walking through congested city pavements and malls, this is just the right stroller for the job. Its size also means that hopping onto buses, trains, trams, and even the tube can’t be easier.
Its never-flat wheels aren't exactly meant for off-roading and worn out cobble pavements. But on smooth surfaces- expect nothing but a breeze. You want a stroller that lets you push it single-handedly while sipping coffee on the other hand? This is it.
And the brakes?
Now, these are a little bit different. This car seat stroller has two pedals on the rear axle. To engage the brakes, you'll need to press the green pedal on the left-hand side. To lease, simply press the red lever on the right. This system might take a little bit of getting used to, but I feel it's an excellent way of ensuring that you never have to lift the pedal with the top of your shoe again.
Basket and Storage
Unfortunately, the design of this buggy didn't allow the manufacturer to put an undercarriage. However, there are some clip-on storage bags sold separately to solve this issue.
Size and Weight
Doona is one of the smallest strollers that I have come across so far. Actually, you should expect it to attract most people's attention in malls, public transport, pavements, and shops due to its small size. When unfolded, Donna car seat stroller measures 40 in by 17.3 in by 32.3 in. When folded, it collapses to 23.6 in by 17.3 in by 26 in.
Compared to other car seats, this one is notably heavy at 16.5 pounds. Luckily, you'll be feeling this weight for a few seconds only as you lift it up and down from your vehicle.
Pros
- Transitions from stroller mode to car seat mode in a breeze
- Very easy to maneuver (even with one hand)
- 2-in-1 car seat and stroller design
- Compact for storage and navigating congested areas
- Well-built, comfortable, protective, and seemingly durable
Cons
- Limited age/size compatibility
- Quite expensive
- Notably heavier to lift
- No lie-flat position
Source of pictures: https://www.shopdoona.com/products/doona-car-seat-stroller