Latest news with #Doona
South China Morning Post
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
K-drama casting news about Bae Suzy, Park Bo-gum, Jung Hae-in and more
A number of intriguing high-concept romantic dramas are courting a variety of major stars in a bid to heat up our K-drama schedules in 2026. Read on for the latest TV casting news out of South Korea. Men of the Harem Bae Suzy ( Doona! ) has received an offer to headline the major period drama Men of the Harem, based on a web novel of the same name. This fantasy drama follows a queen who uses male concubines to secure her position on the throne. Bae is being eyed to play Latin, the Empress of the Tarium Empire. Bae Suzy in a still from Doona! She has been offered the lead in period drama Men of the Harem. Photo: Netflix
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Expecting? Here's when major baby gear prices are going up—and how to save before they do
Let's be real: having a baby has never been cheap, but right now feels especially brutal for expectant parents. Between the everyday costs of raising a child and the new tariffs that have hit baby gear hard, strollers that used to cost $899 are now jumping to $1,200. And car seats? They're seeing average price increases of around 20%, while strollers are up about 25%. More than 70% of baby gear sold in the U.S. is manufactured in China, which means virtually every car seat, stroller, bassinet, and changing table is now subject to baby gear tariffs as high as 145%. The result? Industry experts are warning of overall price markups of about 30% across baby essentials, and that's just the beginning. (Because surprise! Tariffs are paid by the consumer, despite arguments to the contrary.) Here's the thing though: you're not powerless in this situation. (Frustrated? Sure.) With some smart planning, strategic shopping, and a few creative alternatives, you can still get the gear your baby needs without breaking the bank. If you're hoping to beat the price increases, here's your timeline based on Albee Baby's tracking of brand announcements. Some brands have already raised prices, while others are still giving you a small window to shop at current rates: Already increased: Chicco: March 10, 2025 Doona: April 22, 2025 Valco: April 30, 2025 Britax: May 1, 2025 BOB: May 1, 2025 Silver Cross: May 1, 2025 Clek: May 1, 2025 Romer: May 1, 2025 Cybex: May 1, 2025 Larktale: May 1, 2025 Veer: May 1, 2025 WAYB: May 1, 2025 UPPAbaby: May 5, 2025 Bumbleride: May 5, 2025 Baby Jogger: May 11, 2025 Graco: May 11, 2025 Still time to buy at current prices: Bugaboo: May 20, 2025 Joolz: May 20, 2025 Maxi-Cosi: May 28, 2025 Tiny Love: May 28, 2025 Thule: June 2, 2025 Stokke: June 16, 2025 Focus on safety essentials first. Car seats, cribs, and strollers should be your priority since these are legally required or safety-critical items. If you know what you want, shop soon to avoid the next round of price increases. Consider timing with new safety standards. Starting June 30, 2025, all newly manufactured car seats must meet enhanced side-impact protection standards (FMVSS 213a). Here's what this means for your shopping: Car seats made before June 30 are still completely safe and legal to buy and use If you're fine with current safety standards and want to save money, consider buying before June 30 (Mind you, current standards are very rigorous!) After June 30, you'll mainly find seats that meet the new standards on store shelves These newer seats will likely cost more due to redesign costs plus ongoing tariffs Check expiration dates. If you're buying early and storing a car seat, make sure the expiration won't arrive before your child outgrows it. Most car seats expire 6-10 years from manufacture date. Look for warehouse club deals. Watch for retailer discounts or club deals at warehouses like Costco and Sam's Club before prices jump. Consider U.S.-made alternatives. Try to buy products made in the United States if possible. Even these products may increase in price if manufacturers use raw goods or components manufactured in other countries, but the increases should be less than what you would pay for items fully manufactured outside of the United States. With new prices skyrocketing, buying used might seem tempting—and it can be a smart choice for certain items. But safety comes first, especially with gear that protects your child. What's generally safe to buy used: Clothes and blankets Toys (check for recalls first) Books Baby carriers (inspect thoroughly for wear) High chairs (check for recalls and missing parts) Non-motorized swings and bouncers What to approach with caution: Car seats: Safety-focused gear like child car seats could be risky, as the item may have been previously recalled, have updated safety standards, or have structural problems that may make it no longer safe to use. Car seats also expire and you can't verify their crash history. Cribs and crib mattresses: Safety standards change frequently, and older models may have been recalled Strollers: Check for recalls and structural integrity If you must buy safety gear used: Always check to be sure it hasn't been recalled. Calling the manufacturer's customer service line is another good bet if you need replacement parts, instructions, or labels. Red flags when buying used: Missing labels or model numbers Any visible damage or excessive wear Seller can't provide manufacture date Missing parts or instruction manual 'Too good to be true' pricing Renting baby gear can help lighten the load when traveling with kids, but it's also becoming a viable option for everyday use, especially with prices soaring. When renting makes sense: You're unsure about a big purchase You need gear temporarily (like for travel) You want to try before you buy Storage space is limited Budget is tight right now What you can rent: You can rent almost any type of baby gear, including bassinets, cribs, strollers, play yards, car seats, high chairs, toys, and bouncers. You can even find seasonal and specialty rentals like beach tents and outdoor blankets. Top rental services: : Over 450 independent quality providers in hundreds of cities across the U.S. and Canada. Insurance is included with every rental and they remove any recalled items immediately from the site. : Been helping families for 20 years with delivery to hotels, Airbnbs, and homes : Over 90 locations throughout the USA with over 25 years of experience : Network of 500+ local providers ready to deliver baby gear globally What to look for in a rental service: Check out reviews that other parents have left, especially making sure that the rented items arrived on time and in good condition. Check the company's website for delivery fees, cleaning costs, service charges, or other fees that can add up. Local alternatives: Facebook Marketplace and local parent groups often have rental options Some children's stores offer rental programs Baby gear libraries in select cities The reality is that rising costs are putting pressure on families at one of the most expensive times in their lives. A 2025 survey from BabyCenter reported that raising a child in the U.S. today costs families upward of $20,000 in the first year alone, with 37% of expecting parents worried about finances and 25% saying they had decided to have fewer children because of the high cost. Nearly 50 members of Congress have issued a statement opposing price increases on essential baby gear and asking Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to work with the Trump administration on an exemption from tariffs for this lifesaving category. While we wait to see if policy changes bring relief, focus on what you can control. Remember: you don't need everything at once. Start with the absolute essentials—a safe place for baby to sleep, a car seat to get home from the hospital, and basic feeding supplies. Everything else can wait or be acquired gradually. And there's no shame in asking for help, whether that's adding items to your registry, accepting hand-me-downs from friends, or renting gear short-term. Your baby won't care if their stroller cost $200 or $800. What matters is that they're safe, loved, and have what they need. Sometimes in the face of challenging circumstances, that's the most important reminder of all.
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Travel + Leisure
18-05-2025
- Travel + Leisure
I Traveled Internationally With 3 Kids Under 5—and Thrived Thanks to These Tips
There's a misconception that once you have children, you can no longer travel, or, if you do, it will be too stressful to be worth it. Reader, I'm here to tell you this couldn't be further from reality. Some of my family's happiest memories are from our travels abroad: marveling at the Eiffel Tower on a summer night, making pasta together in Italy, jumping into the Mediterranean at the Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, which our children affectionately call "the pool house." Traveling is a wonderful way to connect with and enrich young imaginations, but as any parent will understand, the journey can quickly descend into chaos without the proper preparation. And with three kids under five that have collectively visited six different countries (including our home country of New Zealand—a 17-hour flight from New York), we have experienced a lot of trial and error over the years. The main things to consider when planning are what to pack, the travel logistics, and the destination. (Should you settle for a Caribbean all-inclusive over Capri, or is Disney World the only place that's actually exciting for kids?) From airport survival techniques to crafting itineraries around routines, these are my top insider tips for traveling with toddlers and babies. Create an itemized list of the most cumbersome items that you'll need; The Doona convertible car seat and a fold-up travel stroller are always at the top of our list (we alternate between the Yo-Yo and the Silver Cross Jet), followed by kids' carry-on suitcases with fun prints (State Bags and Pottery Barn have some great options). Invest in backpacks with luggage sleeves and load them up with essentials for the flight: a change of clothes, something warm, hand sanitizer, diapers, wet wipes, snacks, coloring books, and non-noisy, mess-free toys. If you're pumping, portability is key; I used to use the Willows or the Elvie inserts but have found the Zomee to be the most effective, even if you do have big bottles protruding from your chest (concealed with a nursing cover, in my case). And to limit excess bulk, leave the nursing pillow behind and request an extra cushion when you board the flight; it's all about minimizing the items to keep track of while having access to everything you'll need. Sudden turbulence has been making headlines lately, and since not all airlines offer infant seatbelts, I would advise buying a baby flight vest to keep little ones secure; we have the Baby B'Air, which is sturdy and functional. A toddler sits and on top of a suitcase with her your way through the airport is undoubtedly the most challenging part, but I cannot overstate what an absolute game changer American Airlines' Five Star Service is for families. On a recent (and perhaps overly ambitious) trip to Europe, we were equipped with seven suitcases, four duffel bags, and two strollers—a moving circus from the outset. However, once we arrived at JFK, we were met curbside by an AA representative who engaged with the children and escorted us through a check-in that felt more like a luxury hotel lobby than a major international airport. From there, we breezed through security in an expedited line and arrived at the glossy new Greenwich Lounge, which offers a la carte dining, sophisticated relaxation spaces with nursing areas, and Champagne on tap. No hustle, no halogen-lit halls, and no reason for the dreaded toddler tantrums that travel often triggers. Getting on the actual plane is usually a mad scramble for families, too, but we were ushered to the gate with attendants who assisted with our luggage and happily sang along to The Wheels on the Bus— something that we had no energy for after a 3:00 a.m. start. They took us all the way onto the plane first and ensured that everything was stowed away securely. Et Voila! This simple add-on improved the experience immensely , but the real advantage was when we arrived in Rome and the driver was nowhere to be found. He didn't speak English, and we don't speak Italian, and instead of standing at the arrivals hall, he was waiting in a car park a mile away. We would have been lost without the AA attendants at Fiumicino Airport, who coordinated with him and helped to keep everything together while happily entertaining the toddlers. A family walking together in the airport. If you can, book a flight that aligns with sleep schedules. We often take red-eye flights to Europe, and the nighttime routine can generally remain the same, but for the bath: dinner, book, bed (and perhaps some games and cartoons pre-loaded onto an iPad). Plan to nurse or bottle-feed during take-off and landing to ease ear pain from the change in cabin pressure, and, if accessible, book the bassinet in advance. For older kids, Stokke's JetKids Bedbox is a worthwhile investment, but be sure to check that the airline will allow it. And if you're flying business class, check the plane model when you're booking as some have more modern cabins with closing doors for added privacy (Air France and Delta both have this option). It goes without saying that planes are a hotbed of germs, so I always carry a pack of Lysol wipes and sanitize the seat area as soon as we board. Another tip? Have the kids wear slip-on shoes rather than lace-ups, and pack disposable slippers so they're not making bathroom trips in socks that will absorb everything. Pre-arrange everything that you can at the hotel: the crib, the diaper pail, baby toiletries, a bottle warmer, and a baby bath. To free up even more suitcase space, ship diapers ahead of your arrival and any formula or purees you may need. There is a huge difference between hotels that simply allow children and those that truly value them as guests, but more luxury hotels are prioritizing families, and some are masters of anticipating their needs. Take Airelles Chateau de la Messardiere, where rooms are equipped with play tents, new toys, Bonpoint bath amenities, macarons, and freshly prepared food. Once young jetsetters have settled in, they can board the choo-choo train down to the kids' club and unleash their creativity with a variety of musical instruments, a costume center, a games arcade, and a farm where they can play with animals and collect eggs to bake cakes with. It's worth connecting with the concierge to inquire about children's activities that you can sign up for (e.g. Antigua's Jumby Bay offers kids' wildlife safaris; Amanyara has exclusive science camps), and also to coordinate trusted local babysitting services for a child-free dinner, which you are bound to want at some point, even if, like us, you have a martini in one hand and the Nanit live-streaming on your phone in the other.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Is the Doona Car Seat & Stroller Worth It? Here's My Honest Review
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here. You can learn more about that process here. Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Read the original article on Purewow. Value: 18/20 Functionality: 19/20 Portability: 20/20 Aesthetic: 18/20 Safety: 20/20 Total: 95/100 A funny thing happens when you're gearing up to have a baby: Parents come out of the woodwork to dispense unsolicited advice. Tips about sleep training? I'll pass. But give me a tried-and-true product recco and I'm all ears. That's how I came to learn about the Doona Car Seat and Stroller combo. After all, I had my first child seven years ago. Ahead of welcoming my now six-month-old, I quickly discovered: Baby gear has changed quite a bit in that time. The Rock n' Play? Recalled! The Snoo? Was only just getting buzzy! But Doona, it seems, was the biggest innovation. And Doona parents, it turned out, were extremely impassioned. The first was my cousin. His son arrived nine months before mine and, while not always verbose about baby stuff, he imparted one piece of wisdom. Get the Doona, it's a game-changer. Next, one of my best friends, who was pregnant with a third: I'm splurging on a Doona this time around. Everyone I know raves about it. The final endorsement came during a shopping trip to IKEA. New Yorkers tend to keep to themselves, but a particularly gruff woman held the elevator for me as I waddled up to it, then couldn't help herself: The Doona stroller—ahem, the one she was currently pushing—will save you. (You don't have to tell me thrice, I thought!) So, I put the stroller/car seat combo to the test, right out of the gate—installing the base in my car and toting the car seat to the hospital where I was induced last October. If that's not a sink or swim moment for testing a product, I don't know what is. Here's my honest review. One of my most vivid early parenthood moments was when I transferred my oldest son from the stroller to the car seat for the drive home from the hospital. He fell asleep in the stroller as we toted him out, but then—as I was relocating him to the car seat—I bopped him on the nose and all hell broke loose. (In other words, he started wailing and as a first-time parent, I felt like a failure.) Not so with the genius Doona which is basically a car seat with collapsible wheels, allowing it to go from a safe and comfortable system of transport for babies (between 4 and 35 pounds) to a compact stroller in one fluid motion. A full-handed push of a button on the back and simple circular motion is all you need for the wheels to pop down or retract. It snaps easily into a secure base already installed in the car and off you go. If baby is snoozing, no disruption required. Rachel Bowie My cousin, bestie and that random lady in the IKEA elevator were all right: This stroller is a two-for-one design that's not only a game-changer, I swear it helps increase the amount my baby sleeps, as was evidenced when I toted my three-month-old from Brooklyn to the Guggenheim by car. Within seconds of the approximately 40-minute drive, my son nodded off. I found a metered spot, unclipped the Doona and seamlessly (and quietly) expanded the wheels. Minutes later, I had paid the entrance fee, then rolled my sleeping baby around and around a special exhibit about Orphism in Paris…all without him waking up. When I was done, it was back to the car where, once again, I retracted the wheels and drove off. When we got home? He was still asleep! Rachel Bowie The weight (just over 17 pounds) puts it slightly above your average car seat, though I've never found it too cumbersome. And it adjusts to baby's growing size with straps that you can toggle with a button at the bottom center. (Unlike other car seats, you don't have to remove your child from the seat itself in order to change the size.) There's also an included newborn insert and since it's approved up to 35 pounds or 32 inches—whichever comes first—you can typically use it until a kid is 18 months. (Note, it does not convert to front-facing.) I also tested this car seat without its base in a cab on-the-go, by using the car's seatbelt and following the online instructions. It even handled a bit of spring off-roading (see photo above) at my local botanic garden. As for safety, It has a five-star safety rating in frontal collision tests—based on over 100 crash tests—and meets the strictest U.S. and E.U. safety standards for car seats, strollers and hand-held carriers. When installed in the car seat base, you lower the handle of the stroller so it rests against the back of the regular seat, giving the car seat additional anti-rebound protection to minimize impact. Additionally, it comes with a five-point harness for clipping baby in and uses materials that are free from hazardous chemicals. (The seat cover is also machine washable.) In my book, there are three: For one thing, it does take a couple of practice runs to figure out how to collapse the wheels; Extending them is easier for some reason. Secondly, there's the lack of sun shade: The shade that comes included doesn't offer much in terms of protection, and only lowers to cover baby up to his nose (or chin if you're lucky), meaning I often have to bring a swaddle to keep my son protected. Finally, the undercarriage doesn't include a space for storage. (How could it since the wheels have to collapse?) I bought a stroller hook to hold my bag and the problem was solved, but snap on storage is available for an extra cost should you require it. Rachel Bowie Minor flaws aside, this two-for-one car seat stroller increased my efficiency as a parent and, quite frankly, made newborn life easier. I still feel grateful six months later and get pangs of joy when my older son takes the helm pushing his brother. Most of all, I love that it keeps my baby safe and snuggly on both walks and drives. After all, with young kids, mobility is empowering. $600 at Bloomingdales Postpartum and Still Running—Here's Why
