Expert Parent Review: Doona Car Seat & Stroller by Pediatrician and OBGYN Parents

[@taystee247]

I was planning a natural vaginal birth and ended up with a C-section. The Doona has been heaven sent during recovery when I have to be alone with baby. And I couldn’t see myself paying full price either. I found someone selling a brand new one in the box for $150 and that’s the ONLY reason we purchased it!

[@luiscalderon6297]

good for you. I'm sorry for asking but where did you buy for this price? thanks.

[@taystee247]

@@luiscalderon6297 it was someone local to me. She buys pallets of things and resells for lower prices. She advertises on Offer Up.

[@eliskakomarkova]

One thing that is rarely mentioned regarding the doona is accessibility. I am a disabled parent and while I have some strength in my legs, I would not be able to carry a carseat with a baby in it. For me it was completely life-changing. I do a lot of driving and popping in and out the car, so I would actually rarely use my pram unless we were going on a walk (and I used it as a walker). Depending on the baby it might last you much longer than most people anticipate, my 2 year old is just about to hit the weight/height limit on it.

[@mcbradlyn]

I am interested in doona for similar reasons! Have you found that getting it in and out of the car is easy given the weight? It seems way lighter than most strollers with infant car seat attached, but people keep calling it heavy.

[@thomas203]

Seat/stroller combo for less money that mitigates the complaints noted while potentially being safer: the Evenflo Dualride car seat is just like the Doona but can detach from the stroller wheels, and has a large carrying bag accessory - largely resolving the two complaints of the Doona in this video. Should be noted that *it is not recommended to buy used car seats* as they may have previously been in an accident, causing internal component failures not always visible. The Dualride is $50 cheaper than the Doona, but is almost always on sale (or promocode) new for $400, and as low as $350, which gets you into a used Doona price bracket without the considerable risk that buying a used car seat brings.

[@mrsshenker15]

Dual ride is an F if a Doona is a B. I've owned both. Dualride is cheap plastic, bulky, the movements are not smooth whatsoever. Both are heavy, but Dual ride pales in comparison to the Doona. I have no financial obligation to either company, just a mom of two.

[@kresink00]

“It is not recommended…because it may have previous accidents, etc” was quoted by companies so people buy new products instead of used.

[@carlysuterlowe1554]

Child Passenger Safety Technician here! So glad that you included the safety warning about not leaving babies in car seats for extended periods of time. However, using secondhand car seats is not recommended unless you know and trust (with your child's life!) the original user. There are many other factors at play besides whether or not the vehicle has been in a crash. It is disappointing to hear doctors making this recommendation as it gives credibility to a potentially very dangerous decision.

[@allisond6369]

That really surprised me too! I love our doona and I try to get things second hand when at all possible, but I was not going to do that for a car seat. That is too big of a risk.

[@DiabloValleyPeds]

A big no-no for “used” car seats. This goes for any protective equipment designed to absorb energy from a collision (Helmets / airbags / seatbelts etc.).

[@mikaylakrupa8159]

We got the Doona for baby number one, and it has been so amazing. I’m very petite so I was nervous about the weight of the stroller, but like you mentioned in the video, it’s basically a non issue. The only time I ever have to lift it is to and from the car, which I can manage just fine (again, super petite momma so I’m guessing if I can do it pretty much anyone can). It’s a huge help because I never have to worry about carrying a giant car seat around, and we also typically don’t have to pack a stroller to go anywhere with us. Obviously if we had a whole day of walking around or maybe some rougher terrain to go over we would pack something else, so it’s probably just a lifestyle thing too. All in all, we absolutely love it and we were happy we made the trade off to get this stroller rather than some other upfront baby items.

[@kmot92]

My biggest drawback is learning its not approved in Canada, Australia and a few other countries. Because the US actually tests their car seats at a lower speeds (only 30mph), less directions, etc. than other countries. We also only have Pass/Fail rating vs others that have actual scores... Which is odd bc we have larger cars, larger open highways, higher speeds so it should be us at with stricter standards. So when I found out others don't approve bc of their stricter standards, it was pretty much a no for me. We have a infant car seat, that is FAA approved, and the stroller connection is small enough to fit in the overhead of an airplane. So figured it was best of both worlds. And still lightweight.

[@nikkinovember9258]

Which brand did you go with?

[@jackiehealy5513]

I just wanted to say that I appreciate your content so much! Our first daughter was born September 2021 and we are due with our second daughter October 2023 so we are right behind you guys and your content is always extremely relevant for where we are at. I cannot wait for more tips about having 2 littles close in age!

[@nikkiboyd2055]

I have a Doona and I ALWAYS get asked about it! If I had a dollar for every time I heard "I wish they had that when I was a new mom" I could probably buy another Doona 😂 Thankfully my baby is on the small side so she still meets both the height and weight requirements at 13 months

[@sarahwiener8171]

Something you didn't mention and that I have always read about the Doona is that it is not meant to be instead of a stroller. I understood that it is essentially a car seat on wheels, and that it is not healthy or recommend to leave a baby inside of an infant car seat or doona for longer than 45 minutes at a time. For that reason I have always been lead to believe that the Doona is ok for very short trips only, like if the baby falls asleep and you have to run into the grocery store, but that it is not meant for longer trips. I'd love to hear your opinion

[@polinabochkareva9760]

I agree that it's better for a small baby to lay flat in a bassinet or a fully reclined stroller for long walks.

[@thomas203]

This was discussed at length after the 13 minute mark.

[@sarahwiener8171]

​@@thomas203 they mention that it's not good to leave them there forever and it's not safe for sleep, but do not mention that 45 minute limit.

[@dorkaballa-johnson1214]

The doona, as all other car seats, is recommended for no more than 2 hours at a time for newborns. 45 minutes is not accurate. The 2 hour recommendation exists for any and all car seats and is just simply due to baby's spine still being in development. They discuss it towards the end of the video. Truly the doona is intended for travel and outings that involve driving somewhere, if you are frequently taking an extended hike or 2+ hour walk around your house or neighborhood you'll want to have another stroller in addition to the doona for that which you can keep in a garage for these purposes for example. In summary, if your errands/planned outing will last longer than 2 hours then at some point you'll want to take the newborn out and put them in a wrap or baby carrier.

[@sarahwiener8171]

I don't know why I've always heard 45 minutes. I guess that's not a thing. I have read that for newborns the limit is 30 minutes though.

[@DiabloValleyPeds]

From Consumer Reports: Pros: Restraint system and brakes are very good, and easy to use. Compact design, but heavy. Safety features to prevent incorrect use are well-thought-out. Maneuverability was very good, in spite of a handle that testers felt was too low. Doona is a good concept that could use a tiny bit of fine-tuning. Cons: Very heavy to lift, even without a baby in it. The process of lifting with a baby in it, then turning and maneuvering with the seat to get it into the vehicle base in your car, is arduous. There’s no storage at all on the stroller as sold; you can buy an accessory bag separately if desired ($30 to $60 depending on which one you like). CR's Take To our knowledge, this is the first infant car seat that is also a stroller. You install the car seat base in your vehicle, just as you would any infant car seat base. The Doona car seat stroller snaps into the base in your car. When you get to your destination, take it out of the base as you would any car seat, and, with just a couple of steps, the stroller frame and legs unfold, and voila! However, the instructions are not as specific, or concise, as they could be. For example: the base has a separate user’s manual from the car seat stroller. You have to look through the base’s manual for instructions on removing the car seat/stroller from the base. When lifted, the Doona is heavy not just in actual weight, at 17-plus pounds, but in feel, too. It is not easy to lift and move it into your car with a baby in it. Like so many products, this one involves making a tradeoff. You’ve got one less baby gear item to schlep into your car trunk, since your stroller is also your car seat, but this is very heavy for a car seat or a stroller, and has no storage for your keys, wallet, diaper bag or other items.

[@tamigarbarino6036]

I actually bought the same convertible car seat you got for baby one. I have to say I absolutely love it! Being a vertically challenged mom who drives an SUV and it has been wonderful have my child facing me when I’m putting him into or taking him out of the car.

[@devorahb6592]

Another option for those looking is the Evenflo Shyft Dualride! It’s also heavy taking in and out of the car but the car seat can be detached if you ever don’t want the wheels. It has sensor safe chest clip (look it up) and is approved for use in Canada. While I live in the US, the fact the Doona is not approved for use in Canada for safety reasons, makes me question our country’s standards for safety. I like that the Dualride is approved.

[@aliciaanderson3622]

Amazing! I did something very similar with the Travel Combination from Baby Jogger. It's so convenient to have the baby stay in the car seat straight into the stroller when they are small.

[@dorkaballa-johnson1214]

The Doona is awesome!! Got ours second hand on FB marketplace as well (we made sure it hadn't been in an accident) and it is SO so worth it. Used it until our first daughter was 15 months, we travel a lot so for us this meant more than 25 flights, and will be using it for our second as well who will be born in a few short weeks. Every time we were in a foreign country and used it in a taxi or airbnb the drivers were blown away because they had never seen anything like it! Airline employees asked us about it all the time too. Can't recommend highly enough honestly.

[@blubimnotafish]

Can it be brought on a plane as hand luggage?

[@taystee247]

@@blubimnotafish you can if you purchased a seat for baby and use it in the seat. Otherwise you should be able to check it at the gate as you’re boarding the plane.

[@dorkaballa-johnson1214]

@@taystee247 this is exactly correct! Whenever we've had a seat for her we just rolled it down the aisle right up to the seat and then folded it and placed it on the chair. The flights where she didn't have a seat we put it in a carseat case/bag and left it at the gate (I know some people will criticize this, I'm well aware of the "risks" of gate checking car seats, just sharing what we did.)

[@linnsoltwedel]

I have had mine with my six month old now and I LOVE it. But I also try not to use it to much, when we are on longer walks I use the Bugaboo Fox 5, because I dont want her to sleep in the carseat for to long.

[@chanise_Malta]

For my second one I had the same toughts , I wanted to make it easy when going out with a toddler and a baby and the doona was what I wanted , but like you said it's expensive so I went on Facebook market place and bought it for €180 and it's like new , thank God. Thank you for your review

[@aleshaswords3976]

Would you get it for the 550 price tag? You are brave stating you got a car seat on marketplace. The cpsts and car seat moms will rally lol. It’s a no for me on weight alone and time in a car seat.

[@musigalglo]

I'm so happy Bo is sleeping more. Both of you look more rested - glowing!

[@SoPhenominal]

I’m so excited for this one! I didn’t get this for my first, but thought about it for my future second. Thank you!

[@ameliahope89]

Loooove my Doona! Took me and my then three month old to Argentina and back, was perfect for traveling in all sorts of vehicles, fit in the overhead of a 777, was very helpful in the stage of super frequent dr visits and helpful to leave at daycare. My son used his very comfortably until 14 months when we decided to switch to an evenflo slim fit 360, simply for the reason that he was too much of a “big boy” and wanted to be out and about as he got older. It protected him nicely when we got into a car accident and per regulation we had it replaced by insurance. Excited to use it whenever baby number 2 comes along.

[@floralaura2543]

I heard it can be messy in the car because of dirt on the wheels getting in the back seat. And then water and ice from rain and winter as well.

[@carmina8143]

What did you both think of the height of the doona ? Was the height ever an issue for you both. I've seen mixed reviews on the stroller bar not being high enough and causing back pain which would cause for it not to be the best stroller for longer trips . What are your thoughts ?

[@taystee247]

My husband is 6ft and doesn’t have any issues with the height. He loves putting our daughter in it and going for mile long walks.

[@baus7]

I was worried about the height also. Think I may pass on it because I do a lot of walks around our neighborhood.

[@samhartwig9404]

First time mom & we absolutely love our doona!! So worth the price! So nice not having to carry a carrier around when we go places. It’s my favorite baby item that we got! & we’ll be able to use it for baby #2.

[@lisagiannoumis3816]

i did what you guys did, thought this is ridiculous for my first and for my second im like yeah i need this now. I had same response to the price but i get it now lol.

[@emilydionne1241]

I used the Donna for both my babies, we absolutely love it

[@parisazomorodian45]

Did you have a normal stroller, too?

[@emilydionne1241]

@@parisazomorodian45 yes, we have the Nuna stroller for my 20 month old now… also a great stroller.

[@tamigarbarino6036]

You mention trying to wrangle your toddler and I wonder what your options are on using a wrist leash for her. I’ve got one for my toddler and have to say it’s been fabulous to give him some independence, but he’s not running all over when we use it.

[@riseredeos]

Consumer reports doesn’t rate this highly for crash forces.

[@Ewa-d4s]

I don’t like how low / close to the ground is the car seat. I would not buy it, but I’m glad it works for you.

[@codyfear7708]

Love you're videos, only ones I've found that don't feel like they're only for the mom/ soon to be mom

[@HeatherAHodnett]

I looked at the doona but decided against it since I want more versatility and a stroller that my baby grow into as a toddler. It does seem like a cool solution for people who live in cities like NYC and are using public transportation, rideshare and walking.

[@kstepanek11]

Hi! Thanks very much for the video! Curious what infant carseat you used for baby #1 that was so light in weight?

[@viaamber8897]

Question: how do you handle cold weather? The infant car seat doesn’t seem to leave much space for thick clothes 😢

[@mairobisnieves6919]

When we purchase it does it come with the base or do you need to buy the base separately?

[@devorahb6592]

It comes with a base if you buy it new in the box. You can also buy the base separately if you have multiple cars and want a base in each vehicle.

[@jeanpetit8298]

Hello, I would like to ask a question: we also have a Doona and use it frequently, sometimes when we go out traveling, our baby (2 months old) spends up 3 to 5 hours combined in the car and as stroller. Should I be concerned about my baby’s spine due to the frequent and extended of the Doona? Thank you very much for your response.

[@dr.bassmab552]

This what I am planning to get for my baby 😊 carseat-stroller- accepted for traveling .. this is what I need

[@andraexpeart]

Is it safe to let the baby be in a doona for a long time? Considering the structure is more for a carseat, so the baby will be constantly in a sitting position? Especially for newborn?

[@harleyholst1647]

What is after the Doona?! My lo is growing out of it and I am a low-vision nondriver…having to utilize transit services I need a carseat/stroller combo. Help?! I can’t leave toddler seat on the bus 😞. I also Can’t carry a carseat and a stroller on and off the bus either.

[@larissanogueira4142]

We didn’t like the Doona, it was so heavy when baby was in there. We ended up switching for a convertible within a month, and we just put the baby in the stroller bassinet. For baby number two we will just add the second seat and have both kids in the stroller. The only time where the Doona was very useful was on a flight, it was great to have a car seat/stroller instead of two bulky items, but then it was not safe as it isn’t really supposed to be used for longer than one hour 😅

[@annieg7090]

I heard that in crash test ratings, Doona had a pretty low score (3?). I was actually looking at the Nuna Pipa, which also had a low score (3.5), though still higher than the Doona. I have ended up registering for the Chicco even though it is supposed to be heavy, based on the crash test safety score (7.5). That said, I happened practically had to use any of them on a regular basis yet.

[@mrsshenker15]

I've seen this too. Can a car seat tech comment?

[@rachelduke1580]

As a first time mom I looooove my doona! It's heavy but you only have to lift it in and out of the car so it's great! I'm surprised you didn't mention it but it's a little low so we did get a free second hand stroller for walks and longer outings like the zoo but for every day it's great. Also we traveled with it and it's great to not have to bother with a separate stroller. I got mine new from target but 20% off with my registry discount (and it was the group gift for my baby shower) Glad to hear you love it even with a toddler! I was wondering if in your situation you'd prefer a double stroller. Do you just push cece's stroller at the same time as the doona then??

[@byrdie89]

As the shortest adult in my family at 5ft 10in, I had to return it because it is WAY too low to the ground...almost broke everyone's back....

[@heidiharris1984]

The Doona just seems like too much expense for something with not enough versatility and a short lifespan of use with your baby. I LOVE my safety first grow n go. Easy to snap the baby in without disturbing him from his car seat, but also have the option for the bassinet and it has so much versatility as he grows. I also agree with those who will not buy a car seat used. Better safe than sorry IMO.

[@GeezerTuber]

Doona seems like such a great idea, but the extra weight seems like a killer. Not only are you picking up extra weight, you're doing it from a lower point than you would if you were removing it from a 2-piece stroller. This sounds like a recipe for a slipped disc for most folks who don't know how to properly lift heavy items. Also, the lack of storage is a bummer. I'd happily pay more for one if they could mitigate the extra weight with better materials, but that doesn't seem to be an option.

[@MeliMel277]

Does the Doona fit in a shopping cart? We currently have it on our registry. I’m still keeping my eyes open for one on marketplace.

[@jeffway1467]

How is it any different than a normal car seat? Most of them have a base that stays in the car, so you don’t need to wake your infant up anyway you just take the car seat out and attach it to a normal stroller.

[@miszpnayful]

I have a question completely off topic. I got my positive pregnancy test on July 31st and noticed that I wasn’t seeing any line progression every other day of testing. By august 5th in the afternoon, my digital finally said NOT PREGNANT. I’ve been testing and lines are now just starting to disappear even more, but still not bleeding. Is there a reason why I’m not getting the chemical bleeding yet? Just thought I’d take a shot at asking the fertility doctor lol! TIA and I hope to get a quick feedback.

[@linnsoltwedel]

I am so scared of bying the used from people I dont know. They say you shouldn't buy used one, in case they have been in an accident.

[@carmensamone]

The funny thing is, Sarah, you said you don't need it for baby number one... And I think it's better to get it for baby number one if you plan on having multiple close together. Because the Doona has such a short lifespan, I think it's great if you can use it for multiple babies. You kind of get double the use for your money, being that it's so expensive lol. The lifespan is the ultimate reason I decided against the Doona. I was for sure that's what I wanted, until I realized it's only for essentially the first year AND the fact that it's so heavy lol. I decided the convertible car seat is the way to go! (Also, I don't have a kid lol. I'm speaking of my future kid that I'm currently trying to make haha.)

[@parisazomorodian45]

Is a doona enough, or do you have to have an extra stroller?

[@msericaplease]

It's cool but seems soooo unnecessary especially with such a short usage time (at full price). For a discount or used for a cheaper price I would absolutely consider it 100%!

[@TTmawaza]

Wanted to buy it but it only goes up to 2 years when looking at the weight. So you would need to upgrade to another stroller plus car seat. So not worth investment when it comes to longevity.

[@linnsoltwedel]

I want this because of a bad arm that makes it easier to get the child in and out and less fuss!

[@mariaannhayes3257]

I wanted the doona, and then I found out I was pregnant with twins 💀 maybe next baby hahaha! 10/10 recommend the mocking bird with the graco car seats though! 🤣💖

[@Dugg124]

what are your thoughts on this stroller use in terms of babies spending too much time in the car seat position i.e. more than 2 hours per 24 hour period? Newborns should be laying flat on their backs (i.e. bassinet attachment for stroller), to promote optimal breathing, as car seat position can compromise this. As doctors do you have medical concerns that this car seat and stroller in one will make parents think its safe to keep their baby in this position for extended periods of time, such as going on drive, then around the mall/market etc.?

[@Mrsfairyroyaleglitch]

Dont find one used, people lie for money & dont care about your baby the way you do. Pay for new or risk your babies safety !

[@marioumar5091]

Is doona for a toddler?

[@saraipaul7826]

I saw car seat stroller brand new in temu for $201

[@asheburypress882]

It’s prob a knock off. Temu and the price should make this obvious. I wouldn’t risk it.

[@SamanthaCharbonneau-c5r]

Reasons why I think this is a terrible product: Small shade Only faces one direction Low seat and handle bar Super heavy - one of the heaviest on the market Small wheels - rough ride Not meant to be a stroller Not nontoxic No storage No recline option Illegal in Canada and other countries because it doesn’t meet safety standards Baby sits at an unsafe angle while in use so not good for long periods Preforms low on safety standards in USA Only good up to 35 lbs so kid outgrows it quickly Gets car dirty from debris (dirt/mud/dust/rain/snow/salt) from wheels Do your research people! Went with all Nuna products and absolutely love them all for endless reasons!

[@defectahz6399]

“Very expensive” ** makes $250,000+ a year **

[@user-jh5ll3ex4f]

Doona didn’t pass Canadian safety standards, they don’t sell it.

[@Aobaqunge]

When you buy the doona secondhand, pay extra attention, because there are plenty of fake Doona out there.

[@LilJaiTube]

Not a really good review. More talking than actually showing you the features of the Doona. Mostly opinions about it which is good but not useful for me.

[@katrienvdk]

Car seat expiration dates are literally just a made up date not based on any sort of scientific testing of materials or required by any law. I’ve tried to look up how the expiration works and there is no good answer. Of course manufacturers would say oh you need to buy an expensive new car seat every 6 years. For “safety”-preying on parental fear. Parents should use common sense and if the car seat looks clean and intact and hasn’t been recalled or updated, just keep using it.

[@SJ-wq3os]

I had my baby in a communist country I feel so sorry I didn't keep the stroller I had in that era I could make a video about that primitive ugly non practical non safe stroller😢

[@SyrianSpace]

It's a bad product