Between sleepless nights, colicky days, and temper tantrums, you’ve already got enough things to stress about as a new parent. But fear not, we're here to make at least one decision a breeze: picking the right car seat for your baby.

If you’ve got a car, you’re gonna need a car seat. Your baby can’t stay at home all the time, right? Whether you're enjoying weekend drives, taking the little one to doctor’s appointments, or visiting family, a car seat will make sure your bundle of joy gets around safely.

But we get it. When it comes to your kid, only the best will do. Doing your research is key before you get any products. So, we thought we’d do the work for you and give you everything you need to consider when choosing a baby car seat. We also take it a step further and give you suggestions on which ones to get (with a Rentoza subscription, of course). 

What’s great about a Rentoza subscription is that we’ve done the hard work for you. We’ve researched and tested our products to make sure that they’re good quality, so that all you have to do is subscribe. 

Size Matters

First things first, let's talk size. No, we're not talking about your mini-me (although, congrats on that). We're talking about your car and the space available for your baby's royal chariot.

You’re gonna need to measure your back seat for the width, depth, and height. Trust us, you don't want to end up playing a game of Tetris every time you hit the road.

Speaking of size, you also need to consider the weight of your child. Babies grow faster than weeds in a rainforest. One day they're a squishy potato, and the next, they're demanding to borrow the car keys. That's why you need a car seat that accommodates a wider weight range. You want to make sure you have a product that you can use for a good while as your child rapidly grows. 

We love the Chelino Indy Car Seat (which you can get for R200 per month with a Rentoza subscription) for this exact reason. Its unique design includes an adjustable headrest, and it can even be turned into a booster seat, giving it a much longer useful life than standard car seats. These features mean it's suitable for children as young as nine months, and as old as 12 years of age, and the three-point seatbelt attachment makes it easy to use too.

Safety First, Second, and Third

Alright, let's get serious for a sec. Safety isn't just a feature; it's the whole damn point. Your baby's safety isn't something you want to leave to chance. They're like tiny balls of energy and curiosity, ready to explore the world one sticky finger at a time. And while that's all well and good when they're safely strapped into their car seat, it's a different story if that seat isn't up to snuff.

This is why you’ve gotta look for car seats that come with enough safety certifications to make your head spin. We're talking side-impact protection, adjustable harnesses, and enough padding to make your baby feel like they're riding on a cloud. Because let's face it, comfort is key when you're cruising down the motorway on a family road trip.

And let's not forget about ease of installation. Who has time to decipher a 50-page manual when there's a screaming baby in the backseat? Look for car seats that come with fool-proof installation guides or, even better, ones that you can install with just a flick of the wrist. It's like magic, but safer.

The Chelino Pilot All Stages car seat comes in clutch for this reason. It’s got a five point safety harness, inner adjusting harness, and side protection with energy absorbing plastic mold. Get it for R320 per month with a Rentoza subscription. 

Easy Peasy, Lemon Squeezy

Ease of installation is key. You don't want to be wrestling with a car seat like it's a greased pig at the county fair. Who has time to read manuals when there's a tiny human screaming in the background?

Our top pick is the Maxi Cosi Pebble 360, which you can get for R540 a month with a Rentoza subscription. This bad boy features intuitive one-hand FlexiSpin rotation which makes it super easy to rotate your car seat using only one hand. It has an easy-in harness system that makes it super-quick and hassle-free to get your baby in and out of the car, giving you one less thing to worry about. It also contains an ergonomic carrying handle, making it easy for you to carry your baby wherever you go for freedom of movement.

Subscription is the Way

Now that you know the car seat you want, it’s time to actually get it. But wait, before you buy, why not subscribe instead?

Let’s be real. Baby goods are expensive. And let’s not forget that your kid will very quickly outgrow these items, so why drop a small fortune on something you know you won’t use for a long time?

Instead of breaking the bank purchasing baby products your little one won’t need in a few years, rather subscribe to baby products you can return when you no longer need them. The beauty of subscribing to baby goods instead of buying them is that when you’re finished using them, you can simply return or exchange them for something new. Simple. 

Commitment is messy. Just Rentoza it.