FAQs - 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.
To unfold the Doona:
To fold the Doona:
Can I keep using my Doona after a car crash?
In the unfortunate case of a car accident, an infant car-seat might be subject to powerful forces. These forces might compromise the car seat’s integrity and reduce its effectiveness in protecting an infant in the car. Since we have no way of precisely assessing how an accident might have affected the car-seat, and since the damage might not be visible, we cannot determine if any meaningful damage to the Doona occurred. Therefore, you should not use the Doona after it has been involved in a car accident.
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 to use the breaks of the Doona?
The rear wheels are fitted with a braking system which allows you to use just one pedal to control both the rear wheels. 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. The brake must always be on when putting the child in or taking him out. Always use the parking brake when placing and removing the child, or when standing still even for a few moments! Always check that the brake is fully engaged.
The wheels of my Doona won't move! What is wrong?
Press the green brake release pedal located next to the left wheel to release the breaks. Please note – The brake must always be on when putting the child in or taking him out. Always use the parking brake when placing and removing the child, or when standing still even for a few moments! Always check that the brake is fully engaged.
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 does the Doona Anti-rebound Protection feature work?
Unlike typical car seats, Doona’s unique structure enables positioning the handle against the back of the seat of the car, thus providing the baby with exceptional Anti-Rebound protection. In case of a collision, the Anti-Rebound handle will absorb the impact and prevent the Doona™ from rotating quickly towards the back of the seat, thus dramatically reducing rebound injuries.
Can I use an inflatable seat belt to install my Doona car seat?
Inflatable seat belts are now found in the back seats of some Ford & Lincoln vehicles (starting in 2011) as well as some Mercedes vehicles.
Based on an analysis of vehicle seat belt system testing results, the current Ford Motor Company (Ford & Lincoln vehicles) Inflatable seat belt system is approved for use with Doona car seat using a “Lap shoulder belt standard installation”.
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.
Where is the Energy-Absorbing Foam located on the Doona car seat?
There are different kinds of absorbing foams located where it is mostly neccesary, inside of the shell and at the head support.
How can Doona be certified as a stroller and car seat? I've never heard of this with any other baby product.
Doona is the only product globally to have successfully been tested and certified under 3 different stringent baby product standards – Car Seats, Strollers and Reclined Cradles. Moreover, Doona has been certified under these three standards in both Europe and the US.
What are the differences between the different versions of the Doona. Do I have to buy the Doona from my country?
There are two types of Doonas, the US Doona (which comes with a LATCH base) and the EU Doona (which you can buy the ISOFIX base for separately). Within individual countries, there are even more differences such as harness fastenings, fabrics, labelling, safety warning etc. If you require more information on these differences click here to contact us.
How safe is Doona? Has it been tested by any consumer organisations other than crash testing?
Doona+ has been rated very good by both European and American consumer organisations.
In Europe - Stiftung Warentest, ADAC, and their associates at the ICRT rated Doona+ overall as good while in the pollutant test the Doona+ rating was very good.
Kidsgo magazine rated Doona+ with the highest score of 1.4 (very good) after the product was examined by families in their daily lives for a few months. The families pointed out that they recommend the Doona+ for being innovative, safe, and easy to use.
In America - Consumer Reports rated Doona overall as very good while in the safety test the Doona rating was excellent.
NHTSA (USA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) rated Doona with the highest score of 5 stars.
In addition, Doona has received more innovation awards than any other car seat, over 30 awards and counting! https://simpleparenting.co/company/#sp_awards
It says on your website that Doona is made of "baby safe materials" - what does this mean exactly?
Doona is the only car seat that is certified under different standards (Car Seats, Strollers and Reclined Cradles), which warrants that the product meets the anti-flammability requirements of all these standards combined. As such, Doona is comprised of baby-safe materials and contains no hazardous heavy metals, lead content, Phthalates, PAHs, Cadmium, Azodyes, and other unsafe materials. The product is also tested to meet the highest flammability requirements, including California Proposition 65 and UK fire retardancy requirements - UK BS 5852.
I wanted to know if Doona uses chemical flame retardants in/on the car seats.
All materials used by Doona are carefully tested and approved under the strictest European and US standards and the REACH regulation, including SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) and meet all the requirements and do have flame retardants. 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.
How does the Doona anti-rebound protection feature work?
Unlike typical car seats, Doona’s unique structure enables positioning the handle against the back of the seat of the car, thus providing the baby with exceptional Anti-Rebound protection. In case of a collision, the Anti-Rebound handle will absorb the impact and prevent the Doona™ from rotating quickly towards the back of the seat, thus dramatically reducing rebound injuries.
When using Doona in the car, how should the Doona handle be positioned?
When installing the Doona in the car, with or without a base, tilt the handle toward the vehicle seat in an anti-rebound position.
What must I check when I am installing the Doona in the car, to make sure that I have followed the "check list"?
When installing the Doona in the car without the base, check the following things:
1. The Doona is installed rear facing – not front facing.
2. The vehicle's seat belt is correctly routed through the Doona belt guides (3 points).
3. The vehicle belt is tight.
4. The Doona’s harness is properly tightened.
5. The handle of the Doona is in the anti-rebound position.
6. Shoulder pads are positioned on the shoulders (not on chest).
8. That the Head Support is always used (at least when driving) to enhance side-impact protection.
9. Infant insert is removed if baby’s is older than 3 months or 5kg/11lbs.
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.
I just got into a very serious accident. Our car was badly damaged. The Doona saved my baby's life. If the Doona looks fine, can I still use it?
No, you should not continue to use the Doona. The reason why you should not use any car seat after a meaningful accident is that it is virtually impossible to assess the impact of the accident on the car seat and assure its structural integrity. Even if there are no visible damages to the product, some components might be damaged to a point where they might fail to serve their purpose in case of another accident.
Can I buy a second hand Doona?
It is strongly advised not to buy a used car seat because you do not know its history and there might not be any visible signs of accident, and a car seat that was involved in an accident is not safe for your baby and have to be replaced. Moreover, Doona will not under warranty in case of claim
Is it safer to install the Doona car seat with the base or with the vehicle seat belt?
Donna 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 vehicles owner’s manual to determine the best way to install their car seat for their vehicle and their child.
Can I install the Doona car seat in a forward facing position?
No, the Doona car seat is 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.