Which child should be outboard

[AdiMom]

I have a 4 year old DS in a brand new Regent and expecting another baby in November. The new baby gets to use the 4 year old Graco Snugride from when DS was a baby. We have a minivan with 2 captains chairs, one in the middle and the other on the drivers side.

I have been reading the boards and paying attention, so I know that a FF position is not as safe as a RF and thus I should put the RF baby outboard. But the Graco Snugride is 4 years old, does not have side-impact protection like the new seats and my van does not have side impact airbags. The Regent is new and likely to offer better side impact protection.

OTOH, DS will be in the van regularly going to school and stuff while the new baby will be in the van only occasionally.

Another option is to move the new baby into a 4 year old Roundabout (again passed on from DS) as soon as I am comfortable. The Roundabout feels more solidly built than the Snugride.

WWYD?

Thanks a bunch,
AdiMom

[Joolsplus2]

Rearfacing even in an old seat is safer to be outboard than forward facing in even a new seat. Plus, it's a heap easier to put the baby in right behind the driver's side, especially as they get heavier...I had mine in the middle position and I thought I'd throw my back out after a few trips!
You can move to the RA as soon as you like, but I'd try to stick it out with the Snugride till springtime, if you have a cold winter (I hate putting a baby in a freezing cold carseat... much rather tuck them into a cozy warm one in the house!)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[AdiMom]

Thanks Jools. We can always count on you.