Is the Doona Worth It? Pros and Cons Revealed
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If you’ve ever tried to wrestle a car seat out of the car while your newborn screams like a banshee and you're balancing a diaper bag with one hand and coffee with the other… you already know: convenience is king. Enter the Doona, a hybrid car seat-stroller that just might be the best thing to happen to new parents since drive-thru coffee.
But like anything baby-gear-related, it's not perfect—and it’s not for everyone. Let’s break down why so many parents (including myself) swear by the Doona, plus a few cons you’ll want to weigh before clicking “add to cart.”
Why the Doona Is a New Parent’s Best Friend
It’s a car seat and a stroller.
This is the Doona’s party trick—and it's impressive. With a single motion, it goes from car seat to stroller and back again. That means no more dragging around a separate stroller frame or waking your baby to transfer them. Pure magic.
Perfect for on-the-go lifestyles.
If you’re the kind of parent who’s in and out of the car multiple times a day—errands, daycare runs, travel—the Doona saves your sanity. You’ll spend less time assembling gear and more time pretending you’ve got this whole parenting thing under control.
It’s a travel dream.
Flying with a baby? The Doona is FAA-approved for use on airplanes, fits easily in overhead bins on many international flights, and eliminates the need to pack a car seat and stroller. Travel light(ish).
It’s sleek and compact.
City dwellers and suburbanites alike love how little trunk space it takes up. It maneuvers tight spaces like a pro, and you won’t feel like you’re pushing a shopping cart through your favorite coffee shop.
But Let’s Talk About the Cons
It’s heavy.
The Doona weighs about 16.5 lbs without your baby in it. Add your little one and it becomes a bit of a workout to lift in and out of the car—especially if you’re recovering from a C-section or have back issues.
It’s short-term.
Once your baby outgrows the Doona (usually around 12-15 months or 35 lbs), it’s done. You’ll need to buy a convertible car seat and a new stroller, which makes the price tag a little harder to swallow.
Not for tall folks.
The Doona wasn’t exactly designed with long legs in mind. The handlebar doesn’t extend very high, which means anyone over 5'10" might find themselves hunched over and awkwardly pushing it. On longer walks, that poor posture can turn into genuine back and shoulder strain—not exactly ideal when you’re already running on fumes and caffeine. If you're on the taller side and plan to use a stroller frequently for walks or outings, this might be a dealbreaker.
Storage? Non-existent.
There’s no undercarriage basket, so forget tossing in your diaper bag, groceries, or anything bigger than your will to survive. You’ll need a separate storage bag for your essentials.
The Bottom Line
If convenience is your love language and you're often on the move, the Doona is absolutely worth the investment—especially in those exhausting, chaotic first months. It’s smart, efficient, and frankly makes you feel like a genius every time you use it.
But if you’re looking for long-term value, want more storage, or are planning to babywear most of the time, the Doona might not be your forever match.
Still, for the first year? It’s a total game-changer—and might just be the parenting hack you didn’t know you needed.