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

What is something we got for baby number 2 that we didn't have for baby number 1? -- The Doona Car Seat & Stroller!

This week the Drs. Bjorkman sit down to share their thoughts on this car seat that converts to a stroller: why they have loved having it for baby #2, some of their favorite features, and also what they don't love about it. Sarah, also has a great tip to find this car seat for up to 1/2 off the original price!

0:00 - Intro
2:20 - What is the Doona?
3:34 - Tips for saving $$
4:12 - Safety considerations for used car seats
5:41 - Doona specifications
8:07 - The biggest drawback to the Doona
8:46 - What we love
10:32 - What we hate
12:08 - Is it worth it?
12:58 - Is it too good?

Intro Music: A WAY FOR ME - Nicolai Heidlas by Chem Ocampo

Keywords: pregnancy update, the doctors bjorkman, third trimester pregnancy, pregnancy vlog obgyn, pediatrician, new baby, baby basics, breastfeeding, bottle feeding, car seat, convertible car seat, newborn, new mom

[taystee]

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!

[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.

[mikaylakrupa]

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.

[jackiehealy]

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!

[carlysuterlowe]

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.

[thomas]

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.

[kmot]

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.

[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!

[aliciaanderson]

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.

[musigalglo]

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

[tamigarbarino]

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.

[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.

[nikkiboyd]

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

[dorkaballa-johnson]

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.

[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

[sarahwiener]

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

[aleshaswords]

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.

[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.

[floralaura]

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.

[devorahb]

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.