Is the Doona Worth It? My Honest Review After Two Babies

Mom 411

4 days ago

12 min read

When I was pregnant with my first baby, I remember wondering whether a car seat that turns into a stroller could really be worth the price.

Now, after using the Doona with two babies, I can confidently say it's one of my favorite baby products we've owned.

I've used it for everything from everyday errands to airports, airplanes, Ubers, and taxis. And while I don't think every family needs one, it's one of those products that has genuinely made my life easier.

What I love most isn't even necessarily the travel convenience. It's the little things, like not having to transfer a sleeping baby into a separate stroller or open my trunk and pull out a stroller frame every time I run into a store.

So, is the Doona worth it? For me, absolutely. But there are a few downsides worth considering before you buy one.

Here's my honest Doona stroller review after using it with two kids, including what I love, what I don't, and who I think it's best for.

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Woman pushing a teal Doona infant car seat and stroller outdoors, showing the convertible car seat and stroller design.

What is the Doona?

The Doona is an infant car seat and stroller in one. Instead of removing your baby from the car seat and transferring them into a separate stroller, you simply unfold the wheels and turn the car seat into a stroller in seconds.

When you're ready to get back into the car, you fold the wheels underneath and install it as a car seat.

The original Doona Infant Car Seat & Stroller is designed for babies weighing 4–35 pounds and measuring up to 32 inches tall, subject to the manufacturer's fit requirements.

The biggest appeal is convenience. You're essentially combining two pieces of baby gear into one.

And when you're already carrying a diaper bag and everything else that comes with having a baby, that's a pretty big deal.

Is the Doona Worth the Money?

For me, yes. Absolutely.

But I think it depends on your lifestyle.

If you travel frequently, take Ubers or taxis, run a lot of errands, or just want something convenient for the newborn stage, I think the Doona can be worth the investment.

If you mostly use a stroller for long neighborhood walks, rarely drive anywhere, and already have a stroller you love, it might not be as essential.

The Doona is expensive, especially considering your baby will eventually outgrow it. It's not a stroller you'll use through the toddler years.

But after using it with two babies, I can say the convenience has been worth it for our family.

Not Sure What You Actually Need for Baby?

It's easy to get overwhelmed by all the baby gear out there. I created a free Baby Registry Guide with the essentials I actually used as a mom of two, plus what's worth skipping.

What I Love About the Doona

1. I Don't Have to Wake a Sleeping Baby

Both of my kids have always been great car sleepers, which is one of the biggest reasons I love the Doona.

There's nothing worse than finally getting your baby to sleep in the car, only to have to unbuckle them and transfer them into a stroller when you arrive somewhere.

With the Doona, I just take the car seat out, unfold the wheels, and keep moving. No transferring, no waking the baby, and no juggling a separate stroller.

It's such a small thing, but when you're running errands with a baby, it makes a huge difference.

Of course, the Doona is still a car seat, so I follow the recommended guidelines for time spent in the seat and don't use it as a replacement for a safe sleep space.

2. It's Just as Good for Everyday Errands as It Is for Travel

I talk a lot about how much I love the Doona for flying, but honestly, I think it's just as useful for everyday errands.

If you're someone who's constantly running in and out of stores, picking things up, or making quick stops throughout the day, the Doona is incredibly convenient.

You don't have to open your trunk, pull out a separate stroller frame, unfold it, and attach the car seat. You just take the Doona out of the car, pop the wheels down, and go.

And when you're done, you fold it back up and put it straight into the car.

It's so quick and easy, especially when you're making multiple stops. I think this is one of the biggest benefits people overlook when deciding whether the Doona is worth the money.

3. It Makes Flying With a Baby So Much Easier

We've traveled quite a bit with our kids, and the Doona makes navigating airports so much easier.

Instead of bringing a separate stroller and infant car seat, I have one piece of gear that does both.

I can push my baby through the airport, fold the wheels when needed, and use it as a car seat once we reach our destination.

It's especially convenient when you're traveling alone with a baby.

I've flown overnight by myself with my baby, and being able to push the Doona down the airplane aisle made boarding so much easier.

I didn't have to juggle a stroller, car seat, diaper bag, and baby separately.

For a mom traveling solo, that convenience is hard to overstate.

4. It's Great for Ubers and Taxis

If you live in a city or travel somewhere where you'll be taking Ubers or taxis, I think the Doona is particularly useful.

You don't have to worry about bringing a separate stroller and car seat or figuring out where to store your stroller once you get into the car.

You simply fold the wheels underneath, install the Doona correctly, and you're ready to go.

I've used it this way many times, and it's one of the reasons I love it so much for travel.

You do need to know how to install it properly, including without the base when applicable. I recommend practicing before your first trip.

5. You Don't Need a Separate Travel Stroller During the Infant Stage

One of the things I appreciate most about the Doona is that it simplifies what you need to bring.

When my babies were small, I didn't need to pack a separate travel stroller and infant car seat.

That meant less gear to carry, less to check, and fewer things to keep track of.

Once my kids got older, we transitioned to the Stokke YOYO travel stroller, but during the infant stage, the Doona was incredibly convenient.

6. I've Been Able to Use It With Both Babies

One thing that made the Doona feel like a better investment for our family was being able to use it again with our second baby.

It's expensive upfront, but if you're planning to have more than one child and the seat remains within its expiration date and meets all safety requirements, you may get more use out of it.

For us, that made the purchase feel even more worthwhile.

What I Don't Love About the Doona

As much as I love the Doona, there are a few downsides worth considering before spending the money.

1. It's Expensive

There's no getting around it. The Doona is a big purchase.

And unlike a traditional stroller that you might use for several years, the Doona has a relatively limited window of use.

If you're trying to decide where to spend your baby registry budget, I'd consider how often you'll actually use its stroller feature.

If you travel regularly, run errands frequently, or take taxis, I think the convenience can justify the cost.

If not, you may be perfectly happy with a traditional infant car seat and stroller combination.

2. Your Baby Will Eventually Outgrow It

This is probably the biggest drawback.

The Doona is an infant car seat, not a stroller that grows with your child.

Once your baby outgrows the car seat, you'll need another car seat and a separate stroller.

We eventually transitioned to other strollers as our kids got older.

So while I think the Doona is fantastic during the infant stage, it's important to understand that it isn't a long-term stroller solution.

3. Storage Is Limited, but I Actually Don't Mind

One of the most common complaints about the Doona is that it doesn't have a traditional stroller basket underneath.

And that's true. If you're used to a full-size stroller with a huge storage basket, it's definitely an adjustment.

But honestly? I've come to appreciate it.

For everyday errands, I use the Doona Essentials Bag, which holds everything I actually need without being bulky. When we're traveling, I add the Doona Storage Bag for extra space.

And I kind of love that the limited storage forces me not to bring the entire kitchen sink everywhere I go.

When you're a mom, it's so easy to overpack for even the shortest outing. The Doona makes me keep things simple, which is part of why I love it in the first place.

Just make sure you're using compatible accessories according to Doona's instructions and not exceeding their weight limits.

4. Yes, the Doona Is Heavy, but There's a Trade-Off

One complaint I hear about the Doona is that it's heavy. And yes, it is. You're essentially lifting a car seat with a stroller built into it.

But here's how I look at it: with a traditional travel system, you're also lugging a separate stroller frame in and out of your trunk, unfolding it, and attaching the car seat.

With the Doona, it's all one piece.

Personally, I'd much rather lift the Doona in and out of the car than deal with a separate stroller frame every time I run an errand.

That said, if lifting a heavier car seat is difficult for you, it's definitely worth trying the Doona in person before purchasing.

5. It's Not My Everyday Walking Stroller

As much as I love the Doona, I wouldn't choose it as my primary stroller for long neighborhood walks.

For that, I prefer our UPPAbaby Vista.

The Vista offers more storage, a different ride, and more flexibility as our family grows.

I think of the Doona more as a car seat that doubles as a stroller rather than a replacement for every stroller you'll ever need.

Can You Bring the Doona on an Airplane?

Yes, the original Doona is certified for aircraft use when installed according to its instructions and airline requirements.

This is one of my favorite things about it.

I've used the Doona on airplanes, and being able to push it down the aisle rather than carry a bulky infant car seat makes boarding much easier.

If your baby has their own seat, you can generally use an approved car seat in that seat, subject to the airline's policies and the seat's installation requirements.

If your baby is flying as a lap infant, you'll typically need to gate-check the Doona unless the airline allows you to use an available seat for the car seat.

I always recommend checking with the gate agent before boarding rather than assuming an empty seat will be available.

And remember, car seats usually need to be installed in a window seat or another airline-approved location so they don't block another passenger's exit.

Is the Doona Good for Newborns?

The original Doona is designed for infants, including newborns who meet the manufacturer's minimum weight and height requirements.

I especially appreciated the convenience during the early baby months when we were frequently getting in and out of the car.

That said, proper fit is incredibly important, particularly for smaller babies or babies born prematurely.

Because my second baby was premature, I know firsthand how important it is to make sure a car seat fits your baby correctly before bringing them home.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and your baby's medical team's guidance when appropriate.

Do You Still Need A Regular Stroller if You Have the Doona?

I think this depends on how you plan to use your stroller.

For our family, the answer was yes.

We have an UPPAbaby Vista that I prefer for everyday walks and longer outings, while the Doona is my go-to for convenience and travel during the infant stage.

The Vista offers more storage and flexibility, particularly as your family grows.

The Doona, on the other hand, is perfect for situations where I want to bring as little gear as possible.

If you can only purchase one stroller, I'd think carefully about your lifestyle before choosing the Doona as your only option.

Doona vs. Traditional Car Seat and Stroller

Here's how I'd think about the two options.

Car seat and stroller in one:

Doona: Yes

Traditional travel system: Separate components

Convenient for taxis and Ubers:

Doona: Excellent

Traditional travel system: Depends on setup

Airport travel:

Doona: Very convenient

Traditional travel system: More gear to manage

Storage basket:

Doona: No traditional basket

Traditional travel system: Usually more storage

Long neighborhood walks:

Doona: Not my preference

Traditional travel system: Often better

Grows into toddler years:

Doona: No

Traditional travel system: Stroller often does

Weight:

Doona: Heavier integrated seat

Traditional travel system: Separate seat and frame

Price:

Doona: Premium

Traditional travel system: Varies widely

For me, the Doona wins on convenience, particularly for errands and travel.

But a traditional stroller system may make more sense if you're looking for something that will grow with your family.

Who Is The Doona Best For?

I think the Doona is particularly worth considering if you:

- Run a lot of errands and make frequent stops

- Have a baby who tends to fall asleep in the car

- Travel frequently with your baby

- Regularly take Ubers or taxis

- Live in a city where compact baby gear is helpful

- Want to simplify airport travel

- Plan to use it with more than one child, provided the seat remains safe and unexpired

- Value convenience enough to justify the higher price

Who Might Want to Skip the Doona?

I wouldn't necessarily recommend the Doona to every expecting mom.

You might want to skip it if you:

- Rarely drive, travel, or take taxis

- Mostly use a stroller for long neighborhood walks

- Want a stroller with a large storage basket

- Prefer to invest in one stroller that will last through the toddler years

- Have difficulty lifting a heavier infant car seat

- Are working with a tighter baby registry budget

There's nothing wrong with choosing a traditional infant car seat and stroller combination.

The best baby gear is whatever works for your family, not necessarily the most expensive option.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Doona

How long can a baby use the Doona?

The original Doona Infant Car Seat & Stroller is designed for babies from 4 to 35 pounds and up to 32 inches tall, subject to the manufacturer's fit requirements. Your baby must stop using it once they reach a limit or otherwise outgrow the seat. Always check the instructions for your specific model.

Can you use the Doona without the base?

Yes, the Doona can be installed without its base using an approved seat belt installation method, following the manufacturer's instructions. This is one of the features that makes it particularly convenient for taxis and travel.

Is the Doona safe for newborns?

The Doona is designed to meet applicable car seat safety standards when used correctly. The most important thing is ensuring your baby meets the seat's requirements and is properly positioned and secured.

Is the Doona too heavy?

The Doona is heavier than many traditional infant car seats because the stroller wheels and frame are built in. However, you don't have to separately lift and unfold a stroller frame. Whether that's a worthwhile trade-off depends on your needs and how comfortable you are lifting it.

Can the Doona replace a regular stroller?

For some families, it can work as their main stroller during the infant stage. But because it's also a car seat, it doesn't offer the same storage, seating flexibility, or long-term use as a traditional stroller.

Does the Doona go on sale for Black Friday?

The Doona hasn't been a product I've frequently seen discounted, including during Prime Day. That doesn't mean it will never go on sale, but I wouldn't count on a major discount.

I recommend checking authorized retailers and comparing prices during Black Friday and other major shopping events.

Final Verdict: Is The Doona Worth It?

For our family, the Doona has absolutely been worth it.

I've used it with both of my kids, and it's one of the baby products I'd buy again without hesitation.

Yes, I love it for traveling. It's incredibly convenient for airports, airplanes, Ubers, and taxis. But I love it just as much for everyday life.

Both of my kids have been great car sleepers, so being able to go from the car to the stroller without transferring them has been huge. And when I'm running errands, I love not having to open the trunk, pull out a separate stroller, and set everything up just to run into a store.

Is it expensive? Yes. Is it heavy? Also yes. And your baby will eventually outgrow it.

But for me, the convenience has been worth every penny.

I don't think you have to be a frequent traveler to justify buying the Doona. If you're someone who runs a lot of errands, makes frequent stops, or simply wants to make getting out of the house with a baby easier, I think it's worth considering.

And that's really what Mom 411 is about: sharing the products that have actually made motherhood easier, so you can decide what's worth spending your money on.

Still building your registry? Check out my Baby Registry Must-Haves vs. Nice-to-Haves guide, or download my free Baby Registry Guide for the products I'd actually recommend after having two babies.