General FAQs
Get the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Doona baby products, including Doona car seats and Doona stroller accessories. These Doona FAQs aim to answer all your questions about purchasing Doona products, including how they work, and their safety features and more, ensuring you are making the right choice for your little one.
Is the Doona™ safe?
Doona™ is the only product to pass both ECE R44/04 Car seats and BSEN1888:2012 Pushchair stroller tests. Simple Parenting’s Engineering, Safety and Medical experts spent eight years developing Doona™. Their key focus was ensuring that a baby is safe and comfortable both inside and outside the car. The Doona is a safe alternative to your existing infant 0+ car seat only. In addition Doona has been safety tested by ADAC scoring the same safety standards and grades as the leading car seat brand in the marketplace. Furthermore free with every Doona is the Newborn insert that has been developed to provide a near flat ergonomic position for your baby and ensures the neck and spine are aligned in an ergonomic position. Doona makes everyday simple parenting safer:
- Safer at the petrol station to pop in and pay
- Safer to use on stairs or escalators, at home, in your flat or at the tube station
- Safer to use in a taxi, friends car, on the bus, tram, train or plane when your pram and cot are in the boot or stowage.
- Ease of use for the school run or popping to the shop.
Like all infant car seats, Doona™ is not intended for the baby to be in all day. Similar to a lie back new born stroller, the angle of the Doona’s™ orthopaedic back rest and padding, coupled with the shape of the shell provides maximum comfort and safety for your infant, with a previously unattended level of convenience and flexibility.
Safety was and is our #1 concern and will continue to be so. The Doona is here to help make parents day to day life more safe and simple.
What is the Newborn Infant Inset and what is its purpose?
Free with every Doona™ is the Newborn insert that has been developed to provide a near flat ergonomic position for your baby and ensures the neck and spine are aligned in an ergonomic position. The Insert has been designed to be used from birth onwards and can be removed from around 5lbs (11KG) onwards to ensure comfortable growth.
How much does the Doona weigh
The Doona™ weighs 6.5 kg, which is lighter than the current heaviest car seat. Uniquely, the Doona™ only requires to be lifted it in and out of the car as the integrated wheels can be unfolded and convers the Doona™ into a push-along stroller.
Are the wheels integrated
The Doona’s wheels are fully integrated and at the touch of the button, the wheels will unfold converting the car seat into a stroller and can be simply folded away again within seconds.
What age range is the Doona™ designed for?
The Doona™ is suitable from birth – approx. 15 months (13kg).
What car seat Group is the Doona™?
The Doona™ is a group 0+ rear-facing car seat.
Is the Doona™ rearward or forward facing?
The Doona™ is a rearward facing car seat. It is recommended that you should keep your baby in a group 0+ rear-facing car seat for as long as possible as this is the safest way of transporting your baby in the car. You should only move them onto the next car seat once they have reached the weight limit of that seat, or the crown of their head is level with the top of the car seat.
Can parts be replaced?
In the unlikely event that you may need to replace any part of your Doona™ then please contact CuddleCo’s customer service where we have a full range of replacements available: customerservice@cuddleco.co.uk.
How can I contact Doona UK?
Our Customer Services are open from 09:00 – 17:00, Monday – Friday. You can contact us via email using customerservice@cuddleco.co.uk.
Safety Features Of The Doona
Can I fold / unfold the Doona with the baby inside?
Yes. It is safe to fold / unfold the Doona with the baby inside. Snugly adjust the harness of the Doona Car Seat around your child before folding / unfolding the Doona.
For more information watch the How To Use video.
Is it safe to use a second-hand Doona car seat?
NEVER put your child in a used infant car seat unless you know its history. A seat may be damaged or have been in a severe crash and have damage that is difficult to see.
Why Simple Parenting chose a 5 point harness?
Simple parenting believes that a 5 point harness better protects a child in case of an accident.
In case of an accident, forces are transferred to the car seat and to the child. The child’s rigid body parts (shoulders and hips/pelvis bone) can withstand the high load forces of a crash better than the soft body parts (lower abdomen). With a 5-point harness the child’s abdomen area is better protected and do not have to endure high loads.
The shoulder straps can be easily adjusted to the correct shoulders height, which ensures that the forces applied in an accident are best transferred to the car seat shell and the rigid shoulder bones of the child.
In addition, in case of an accident a child might be injected from the car seat, the 5-point harness ensures that the child is well secured and keeps the child in the safest position within the protective seat shell.
How does the Doona Side Impact Protection work?
Doona’s unique double wall structure, which enables the folding of its wheels into the Doona™ body, deliver an additional significant safety benefit. The two layers of durable, impact-absorbing plastic, along with additional layers of EPS, foam and textiles provide enhanced side- impact protection which better protects the baby in case of an accident.
How does the Energy-Absorbing Foam work?
Energy-absorbing foam absorbs some of the impact forces that occurs during a crash, keeping your child from absorbing them therefore preventing or minimizing an injury.
The foam also acts as a barrier between your child and the seat shell and any other rigid objects such as the vehicle door or window.
How safe are the materials Doona is made of?
All materials used by Simple Parenting are carefully tested and approved under the most strict American and European standards and the REACH regulation, including SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern).
Not only are the materials used free of any hazardous chemicals, they are also tested for their durability and quality to assure the safe and continuous use of the products.
Installation Of The Doona
How do I install my Doona in the car?
You may find detailed instructions on How To install the Doona here:
- In the user guide located at its designated slot at the back of the Doona or on our website. Europe: page 35. US: page 45.
- For more information watch the How To Use videos.
Can I install the Doona car seat in a forward facing position?
No. The Doona car seat intended for rearward facing only.
Can I install the Doona Car Seat in the front seat of my car?
You may install the Doona car seat in the car as long as you:
- NEVER use the Doona Car Seat on a passenger seat with an active frontal airbag!
- NEVER install the Doona Car Seat on a rear-facing vehicle seat or on a side-facing vehicle seat.
Installation And Questions On The Doona Bases
What is IsoFix?
ISOFIX is an international standard for safely and easily attaching an infant car seat in vehicles without using the vehicle’s seat belts. Using ISOFIX connectors dramatically reduces installation errors and improves the safety of car seats.
The name ISOFIX comes from the merge between ISO (International Standardization Organization) and FIX (Fixation). The ISOFIX standard warrants two main safety elements:
- Rigid ISOFIX connectors on the car seat base which connect to standard anchor points in the vehicle seat.
- Reinforced adjustable support leg (also called foot-prop).
Some cars made prior to 2006, and all cars made from 2006 are equipped with ISOFIX anchor points.
How do I install the ISOFIX base?
You may find detailed instructions on How To install the ISOFIX base here:
- In the User Guides.
Europe: page 15. - In the How To Use videos on our website. How to Use
- Read the instructions on our website: ISOFIX Base
Can i install the ISOFIX base with the vehicle belt?
No. The ISOFIX base can be installed in the car only using the ISOFIX connectors according to the ECE R44 standard requirements.
My car is not listed in the car fitting list, how do i know if it will fit?
Doona is certified as a Universal car seat, and as such it fits all cars that can accommodate a newborn car seat. There might still be cars in which the Doona won’t fit (e.g. super compact sports cars) but if the Doona doesn’t fit neither will other car seats probably. The Fitting List on our website does not pertain to the Doona but only to the Isofix base, which is not sold in the US.
Can I install Doona car seat using both the base AND the vehicle seat belt?
No. Doona car seat should be installed using only one installation method – either the vehicle’s seat belt or with the base (ISOFIX base in Europe of LATCH Base in the US). Parents should always refer to the user guide for detailed instructions.
Is it safer to install the Doona car seat with the base or with the vehicle seat belt?
Doona car seat successfully passed all tests using both kinds of installation methods.
Installed correctly, both methods are safe. Parents should always refer to the user guide and vehicle owner’s manual to determine the best way to install their child seat for their vehicle and for their child.
How to ensure the ISOFIX fit my car?
The fitting list is based on information received from the different car manufacturers pertaining to certain dimensions in the different models. Nevertheless, it is important to understand that the Fitting List cannot be considered 100% accurate, and one of the reasons is that there are slight variations even between different models of the same car, and between same models in different countries. If possible, the best way to assure that the Isofix fits a costumer’s car is to verify this at the time of purchase by installing the base in the car.
Maintenance And Accessories Of The Doona.
Can I use accessories with the Doona Car Seat?
Do not use aftermarket parts or accessories with the Doona Car Seat unless supplied or approved by Simple Parenting for use with the Doona Car Seat. Non regulated aftermarket parts and accessories may impair the performance of the Doona Car Seat in case of a crash.
Simple Parenting offer a line of accessories designed for use with Doona car seat, which you may find on our website or at your local distributor.
Can I wash the Infant Insert?
The Doona Infant Insert can be washed. Before cleaning, check the care label sewn on each item, for washing instructions.
Can I wash the Doona seat cover, shoulder pads and canopy?
The Doona seat cover, shoulder pads and canopy can be removed for washing. Before cleaning, check the care label sewn on the seat cover, for washing instructions. If the seat cover needs to be replaced at any time, use only an official Doona seat cover because it constitute an integral part of the restraint performance. To clean the shell, you can use a damp cloth.
For more information on how to remove and re-fit the Doona seat cover, shoulder pads and canopy, you may watch the video:
General Questions On The Doona
How do I register my Doona and base?
FOR YOUR CHILD’S CONTINUED SAFETY
Although child restraint systems undergo testing and evaluation, it is possible that a child restraint could be recalled.
In case of a recall, we can reach you only if we have your name and address, so please fill in the registration form to be on our recall list.
In order to properly register your child restraint system, you will need to provide the model number, serial number and date of manufacture. This information is printed on the registration card and can also be found on a white label located on the back of the child restraint system.
For US only: This registration is only applicable to child restraint systems purchased in the United States.
Where do I find the model number on my Doona to register my product?
Please refer to the sticker at the bottom of the Doona car seat to find the model number.
Where can I find videos on How To Use the Doona?
You may find videos of How To Use the Doona as a car seat mode, as on the go mode and the accessories. You may access the videos from our home page at the bottom right corner, or from the support tab at the top menu.
How long can I keep using the Doona car seat for my baby?
Suitability (EU):
Infant Weight: 1.8-13Kg
Suitability (US):
Infant Weight: 4-35 lbs
Infant Height: up to 32” (81 cm)
Travelling with Doona
Is Doona certified for air-travel?
Doona is certified for air travel without the base.
For more information:
Can the Doona be taken on an airplane?
Yes. The Doona is certified for airtravel (without the base). In most aircrafts the Doona can easily pass through the airplane aisle and can be installed on a passenger seats. Make sure to contact the airline company in advance.
In case you wish to leave the Doona underneath the airplane you may pack it inside the Doona travel bag (can be purchased at your local retailers).
Is Doona small enough to push along the aisle of airplane?
Yes – According to both 14 CFR 25.815 (US) and NPA 2008-18 (EU) regulations – the minimum required aisle width in aircraft with more than 20 passengers – is 20 inches in which Doona can easily pass through.
Can I take the Doona on the subway or train?
Yes, you may travel with the Doona in a subway or in a train. Make sure that you lock the breaks once you enter the train.
To apply the brakes, press the red brake lock pedal located next to the right wheel. To release the brakes, press the green brake release pedal located next to the left wheel.
Can the Doona be used on all seats in a car?
For more information about vehicle compatibility please refer to the user guide: User Guides
Europe: page 31.
US: page 40.
Can I put the Doona in the overhead compartment of a plane or train?
Doona might not fit into most overhead compartment of an aircraft or train.
Can I use the Doona in a taxi cab?
Yes. The Doona can be installed in a taxi the same as in your car.
Check Lists
Check list for correct installation – Doona
Before installing Doona in the car, ensure that:
- Harness straps are not twisted.
- Properly tighten the harness straps for the protection of your baby.
- Shoulder straps are in the correct height for your baby’s shoulders.
- Shoulder straps assembled to the metal plate at the back of the Doona between the metal bar and the seat body. No part should go over the metal bar.
After installing Doona in the car, ensure that:
- Vehicle seat belt is correctly routed through the Doona belt guides (3 points)
- Vehicle belt is tight.
- Doona installed rear facing – not front facing.
- Properly Tighten the Harness.
- Properly tighten the harness straps for the protection of your baby.
- Handle is in anti-rebound position.
- Head support always installed to enhance protection for your baby in case of a side impact.
- Infant insert removed if baby’s is grown.
- Shoulder pads are located on the shoulders (not on chest).
Check list for correct installation - ISOFIX base
- ISOFIX connectors properly installed in the car.
- ISOFIX support leg rests firmly on the floor of the vehicle. The color indicator should changes from red to green.
- Doona is properly connected to the ISOFIX base (tilt Doona to ensure its connected to the base).
User Guides
- Doona Car Seat
- ISOFIX Base
- ISOFIX Base fitting list
- Installation on Aircrafts