The Doona is a one of a kind product. It’s a car seat and stroller all in one. The Doona is a very popular car seat and for good reason. We’ve compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Doona below. If you still have questions about the Doona, feel free to shoot us an e-mail and we’ll add it to the list!
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The Doona+ is the most recent version of the Doona. Only the Doona+ is currently sold on the market. The original Doona was slightly updated and is now referred to the Doona Plus or Doona+, though most people still just call it the Doona.
For the purposes of this article, when we refer to the Doona, we really mean the Doona+, as that is simply the most recent version of the Doona.
Per the Doona website: “The latest collection makes a bold and on-trend statement with six vivid colors, an updated all-black inner seat cover and a sleek charcoal aluminium frame”. The original Doona came in a popular & recognizable “turquoise”, which is no longer available.
The Doona can be used for infants as long as their height doesn’t exceed 32 inches and their weight doesn’t exceed 35 pounds. There must also be 1 inch of space between the top of the child’s head and the top of the car seat.
While every child grows at different rates, you can expect to use the Doona for approximately a year. However, many parents complain that as the child approaches the year mark, the Doona gets very heavy to lift.
Once your child outgrows the Doona as a car seat, it can not be used as a stroller either.
If you’re planning on having multiple kids, you may be able to use the same Doona. The Doona expires 6 years from the manufacture date.
Yes, the Doona stroller is only for infants. It can not be used for toddlers, either as a stroller or car seat.
Yes, the Doona car seat stroller does expire. The expiration date is 6 years from the date of manufacture.
Doona does not state if there are time limitations that a baby can sleep in the Doona.
However, many car seat manufacturers and professionals (including doctors and safety experts) recommend that babies should not be in a car seat for longer than 2 hours at a time and they should be taken out frequently. This is especially true for infants who don’t yet have head control.
It’s not recommended that babies sleep in car seats when not traveling in the car. Read more here.
Doona does not include time limitations that a baby can sit in the Doona.
However, many car seat manufacturers and professionals (including doctors and safety experts) recommend that babies should not be in a car seat for longer than 2 hours at a time and they should be taken out frequently. This is especially true for infants who don’t yet have head control.
It’s not recommended that babies sleep in car seats when not traveling in the car. Read more here.
No, you cannot jog with the Doona stroller. The Doona is not intended for jogging or running.
Per the manufacturer’s manual, “The Doona Car Seat is not suitable for use while running or skating.”
The Doona weighs 16.5 pounds.
This is heavier than most infant car seats, which weigh on average between 8 to 10 pounds.
The lightest car seat currently on the market weighs 5.3 pounds!
Yes, the Doona car seat comes with a base.
The Doona base can be installed using the LATCH system or the seatbelt. Click here for the Doona Base manual. With the use of the base, the Doona easily clicks in, making taking the Doona in and out of the car seamless.
Yes, the Doona car seat can be used without the base.
The Doona carrier can be installed with (most) seat belts without the use of the base.
This is perfect for city for city-dwellers (think taxi rides) and those who travel frequently. The Doona can be taken on a plane and installed using the lap-belt method (without the base).
Yes, the Doona car seat stroller can be taken on the plane. It is FAA approved. The Doona can only be used without the base on an airplane. It has to be installed using the lap belt method of installation through the carrier. Of course, with any car seat, it’s best to check with the airline ahead of time to ensure it will fit. This is most important with smaller aircraft used on shorter flights.
The Doona is popular among parents for airplane travel. It can even be strolled down the aisle of most airplanes!
You can gate check the Doona if you want it for the airport or your destination, but not on the airplane.
It’s recommended that you use a padded bag if you do gate check the Doona. Doona sells a travel bag that’s made specifically for the Doona. You may also consider this car seat travel bag which also fits the Doona, but can also go on to be used to carry convertible car seats.
The handlebar height of the Doona is 38″ from the ground. This is the maximum height of the stroller handlebar.
The 38″ handlebar of the Doona is not ideal for taller parents. However, many note that it is do-able, especially given the Doona is best used for very short trips + the value/convenience it provides.
For comparison purposes, the popular UPPAbaby Vista V2 has a maximum handlebar height of 42.5″ and the Mockingbird has a maximum handlebar height of 42″. There are several strollers on the market that have a maximum handlebar height of 45″ and greater, which would be better suitable for tall parents.
We don’t recommend the Doona for longs walks. It’s not good for infants to be strapped in their car seats for long periods of time or if they aren’t in the car.
The AAP advises that infants do not sleep in their car seats unless riding in a car, and be transferred to a safe sleep space as soon as possible (i.e. a flat surface).
First, let’s discuss where not to buy the Doona – and that’s Amazon. There’s been tons of reports of “fake”, counterfeit Doonas being sold on Amazon. A counterfeit version of the Doona was purchased on Amazon by CNN and taken to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute as part of an investigation. In a 30 mph crash test, the counterfeit Doona failed to meet the basic standards set by US regulators and shattered into pieces on impact. This is clearly not something any parent would want their child in.
Doona car seats should only be bought through authorized retailers. Click here to see the full list.
The Doona can be found at chain stores like Nordstrom, Buy Buy Baby and Dillards, but also at small, local boutiques. We recommend buying from these small businesses that are authorized retailers of the Doona:
The Doona is pricey ($549 before any attachments), but you can snag it on sale! Click here to read our article with all our tips for getting the Doona on sale.
Yes, the Doona is illegal in Canada (in a way). The Doona car seat does not contain the Canadian “National Safety Mark“, therefore it can not be imported and used by Canadians in Canada. If you’re an American visiting Canada (and your car is registered in America), you can bring and use your Doona without fear.
If your vehicle is registered in the United States, you can use child car seats and booster seats that comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 made under Title 49 of the United States Code, Chapter 301, Motor Vehicle Safety. (source)
The Canadian “National Safety Mark” sticker is placed on all car seats that meet Canada’s car seat testing requirements. Canada, just like the European Union, has different (some say stricter) requirements when it comes to car seat safety.
So what’s the penalty if you get caught with the Doona in Canada? First, you can be fined. The fine will vary depending on the province, but can go upwards of several hundred dollars. Many hospitals will also check the car seat before releasing the baby from the hospital to verify it contains the National Safety Mark sticker. If a Canadian gets into an accident with an illegal car seat, it will also likely affect the insurance coverage.
The bottom-line is if you’re a Canadian, the Doona car seat is illegal for you to use. If you’re just visiting and your car is registered in the US, then you’re fine to bring and use the Doona.
