The Doona car seat stands as a groundbreaking innovation in the realm of child mobility. It ingeniously combines the functionality of a car seat and stroller into one seamless unit.
However, new parents who don’t have ample knowledge of the car seat keep asking the question; What is Doona car seat?
In this article, we will cover everything about the Doona car seat, including its functionality, features, usage limit, useful lifespan, and whether or not it is worth buying for your little one.
Let’s begin by defining what a Doona car seat is.
What is Doona Car Seat?
The Doona car seat is a unique, innovative product that revolutionizes the way parents travel with infants. It’s the first of its kind to combine a car seat and a stroller into a single, integrated unit.
With a focus on safety and convenience, the Doona allows for a seamless transition from car seat to stroller in just a few seconds, eliminating the need for cumbersome travel systems.
Designed for infants, it ensures safety through its sturdy build and adherence to rigorous safety standards. Its compact design and ease of conversion make it ideal for urban living and frequent travelers.
The Doona car seat stands out for its practicality, providing a safe, comfortable, and convenient solution for parents on the go.
The Company Behind Doona and Where It Is Made
The Doona car seat is a flagship product of Simple Parenting, a company dedicated to providing innovative solutions for parents.
Simple Parenting is a part of the larger CuddleCo family, a company renowned for its focus on creating high-quality baby products that combine safety, functionality, and style.
The inception of the Doona car seat stemmed from the founder’s desire to simplify the lives of parents while ensuring the safety and comfort of their children.
Manufactured with precision, Doona car seats are produced in China under stringent quality control measures. The company maintains a global presence, with its products widely available and popular in numerous countries.
Simple Parenting’s commitment to innovation and safety has positioned Doona as a leading product in the infant car seat market.
Features of the Doona Car Seat
Below are the features to expect from the Doona car seat stroller:
1. 2-in-1 Design: The most distinctive feature of the Doona is its dual functionality. It can be used as a car seat and, with a simple motion, converts into a stroller, making it highly convenient for parents.
2. Safety Standards: The Doona car seat adheres to strict safety standards. It includes features like a five-point harness, side-impact protection, and energy-absorbing materials to ensure the utmost safety for the child.
3. Ease of Use: The car seat is designed for easy installation in vehicles, with a base that remains in the car for quick click-in and click-out.
4. Compact and Lightweight: Despite its robust design, the Doona is relatively compact and lightweight, making it manageable for parents to carry and navigate.
5. One-Touch Brake: For added safety and convenience, the Doona includes a one-touch brake system when in stroller mode.
6. Adjustable Handlebar: The handlebar doubles as an anti-rebound bar in the car and can be adjusted for strolling, ensuring comfort for parents of different heights.
7. Sunshade and Rain Cover: It comes with an extendable sunshade and is compatible with a rain cover, protecting the child from various elements.
8. Integrated Wheels: The wheels are neatly integrated into the design and easily unfold when converting from car seat to stroller, providing a smooth transition.
9. Machine-Washable Fabric: The seat cover is removable and machine-washable, allowing for easy cleaning and maintenance.
10. Compatibility with Air Travel: The Doona is FAA-approved for use in aircraft, making it an excellent option for traveling families.
11. Storage Solutions: Although compact, it offers practical solutions for storage, like a small storage compartment and additional accessories for extra space.
Specifications of the Doona Car Seat
The car seat comes with specific specifications that make it unique and functional. Here are the key specifications:
1. Weight and Dimensions:
-
- Car Seat Weight: Approximately 16.5 pounds (7.5 kg).
- Dimensions (As Car Seat): Generally around 26 inches in height, 17.3 inches in width, and 23.6 inches in depth.
2. Child Weight and Height Limits:
-
- Weight Capacity: Suitable for infants weighing between 4 to 35 pounds (1.8 to 15.8 kg).
- Height Capacity: Suitable for infants up to 32 inches (81 cm) in height.
3. Safety Compliance:
-
- Meets and often exceeds safety standards in both car seat and stroller categories.
- Certified for air travel (FAA-approved).
4. Materials and Construction:
-
- Built with high-quality, durable materials that provide strength and longevity.
- Features energy-absorbing foam and side-impact protection for enhanced safety.
5. Color and Style Options:
- Available in various colors and styles to suit different preferences.
Installing the Doona Car Seat
Installing the Doona car seat can be accomplished in two main ways: with the base and without the base. Both methods are designed to ensure safety and ease, catering to different circumstances and preferences of parents.
Installation with the Base
When using the base, the process is streamlined for repeated use. The base is designed to be left in the car, attached via the vehicle’s LATCH system or the seat belt.
To begin, position the base on the car’s back seat. If using the LATCH system, attach the base’s LATCH connectors to the anchors in the vehicle seat, ensuring they are securely locked.
If using the seat belt, thread it through the designated belt path on the base and buckle it, pulling tightly to eliminate slack.
The base should be stable and move no more than an inch side-to-side or front-to-back. Once the base is securely installed, you can easily click the Doona car seat in and out.
To attach the car seat, align it with the base and lower it until you hear a click, indicating it’s securely locked. This click-and-go system simplifies the process, especially useful for parents frequently moving the car seat in and out of the car.
Installation without the Base
For situations where using the base isn’t feasible, such as traveling in taxis or other vehicles, the Doona car seat can be installed directly with a vehicle’s seat belt.
First, position the Doona car seat rear-facing on the vehicle seat. Extend the handlebar to its highest position, as this acts as an anti-rebound bar.
Thread the vehicle’s 3-point seat belt across the car seat’s lower section, following the indicated belt path, and buckle it.
Ensure the lap belt is tight and low on the Doona seat, and the shoulder belt is around the back of the car seat. The car seat should be securely fastened, with minimal movement.
Both installation methods are meticulously designed for safety. It’s crucial to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines to ensure the car seat is installed correctly for your child’s safety.
Here’s a detailed article on: Can you use the Doona car seat without the base?
How Long Can You Use The Doona Car Seat?
The Doona car seat is specifically designed for infants and can typically be used from birth until the child reaches either 35 pounds (about 15.9 kg) in weight or 32 inches (about 81 cm) in height.
On average, this corresponds to an age range of approximately 0 to 12 to 15 months, but the actual duration depends on the individual growth pattern of the child.
It’s important for parents to regularly check their child’s height and weight against these limits, ensuring they transition to a suitable car seat when needed for optimal safety and comfort.
Additionally, like most car seats, the Doona has an expiration date. The expiration date of Doona is 6 years from the manufacturing date due to the natural wear and degradation of materials over time.
This expiration date is usually found on the seat’s label or imprinted on the seat itself. Adhering to this timeline is crucial to maintain safety standards, as older car seats may not provide the same level of protection in the event of an accident.
Read more on how long you can use the Doona car seat
How Long Can A Baby Stay In A Doona Car Seat?
The duration a baby can safely stay in a Doona car seat at any one time is guided by general recommendations for infant car seat usage, not just specific to Doona.
Ideally, infants should not be in a car seat for prolonged periods. Experts generally advise limiting time in a car seat to no more than 2 hours in 24 hours, especially for newborns and young infants.
This guideline is due to concerns about restricted movement and potential breathing difficulties, as well as the development of a flat spot on the back of the baby’s head from prolonged periods of lying in the same position.
It’s important for parents to regularly take breaks on long journeys, remove the baby from the car seat for stretching, diaper changes, and interaction. This ensures the baby’s comfort, safety, and healthy development.
When to Remove the Doona Head Support and Insert?
The removal of the Doona head support and insert is an important step in adapting the car seat as your baby grows. These features are designed to provide extra support and safety for newborns and smaller infants.
Typically, the insert can be removed once your baby weighs around 11 pounds (about 5 kg) and has sufficient neck and head control. However, this can vary depending on the individual development of the child.
The head support is adjustable and can be removed or repositioned as the baby grows to ensure continued comfort and safety.
It’s essential to monitor your baby’s growth and development, and make adjustments to the car seat accordingly. Always refer to the Doona user manual for specific guidelines, as proper fitting is crucial for safety.
For more information on removing head support, here’s a detailed article.
Safety Ratings of the Doona Car Seat
The Doona car seat has earned high safety ratings, reflecting its commitment to ensuring the utmost protection for infants.
It adheres to strict US and European safety standards, including the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) in the United States and the European ECE R44/04.
These certifications indicate that the Doona car seat has undergone rigorous crash testing and meets stringent requirements for impact protection.
Additionally, it features side-impact protection and a five-point harness system, crucial for securing and safeguarding infants during a journey.
The car seat’s unique design, which integrates the handlebar as an anti-rebound bar in the car, adds an extra layer of safety.
Moreover, the Doona’s materials and construction are designed to absorb energy, further enhancing safety in case of a collision. These safety features and certifications make the Doona a trusted choice for parents prioritizing safety in a car seat.
Read more on: How safe is the Doona car seat?
Conclusion
The Doona car seat is a 2-in-1 travel system that serves as a car seat and stroller. You can easily transition between the two modes without needing any other accessories to make it work.
If you are looking for a car seat and stroller combo that will serve your child for a few months after birth, this is a good product to invest in.
