Before I became a parent, I often found myself perplexed by the chaotic scenes of travelling with kids – especially the complex dance of securing car seats.

Memories of my nieces being strapped into cars lingered in my mind, always accompanied by a lot of fussing to ensure everything was safely in place.

When I became a mother, I quickly realised that one of the biggest challenges of parenthood is mastering the art of travelling with a baby.

Last week, we embarked on our first family trip to George for a birthday celebration. With the gorgeous Garden Route as our backdrop, the trip was set to be a memorable one.

However, as a first-time mom, the logistics of travelling, and not to mention flying, with a baby for the first time were daunting.

Doona’t worry

Luckily I’m a tech journalist, and the preparation for this moment started months before my son was even born. While pregnant, we did extensive research into baby gear that could simplify our lives.

After weighing the pros and cons of various products, we landed on the Doona Car Seat and Stroller – a tech-forward, all-in-one travel system that seemed to fit our needs.

Firstly, I drive a Mini Cooper, so space is limited, and secondly, this minimises the need for a full travel system/stroller plus a car seat. Simple, clean gadgets are what I live for.

This innovative gadget, which transitions from a rear-facing infant car seat to a stroller with the press of a button, seemed like the perfect fit for our specific needs. And it’s just a cool-looking gadget that seems to amaze everyone who sees it.

Off to the Garden Route

Our trip to George involved not just a flight, but also a rented van and other family vehicles – a scenario that would typically be a logistical nightmare when it comes to moving a car seat around.

Fortunately, the Doona made this process incredibly easy. The ability to quickly transfer the seat from one vehicle to another without fuss was a game-changer, especially as we navigated airports, aeroplanes, and cars and made frequent stops along the way.

Whether it was loading the Doona into our rental van or securing it in a family member’s car for short trips around Grootbrak, the process was straightforward and stress-free.

One of my favourite features for me was the Doona’s compact design. We had limited luggage space because we chose to travel lightly, so the fact that the Doona combined a car seat and stroller in one saved us a lot of hassle.

Its integrated wheels and compact form factor meant that we could easily switch between car and stroller modes without taking up too much space.

Even when we decided to take impromptu walks through Mosselbay’s trails or visit family in different parts of town, the Doona was a reliable companion.

Travelling in South Africa can be an adventure in itself, with unpredictable road conditions and weather patterns. During our trip, we experienced everything from cold fronts to sudden rainfalls.

In this case, the Doona’s water-repellent canopy and sun protection would have come in handy. We haven’t invested in them yet, but after this weekend, it seems like a no-brainer.

It also comes with an Isofix base, which you can fix into any compatible car, but it quickly and easily fastens with a seatbelt in older vehicles as well.

As with any tech investment, the question of value is always on the table. The Doona does come with a higher price tag compared to traditional car seats and strollers at R8,500, but after our experience, I can confidently say it was worth every rand.

The convenience, safety, and peace of mind it offered – especially during a trip as significant as our first family vacation – was so welcome.