What is the appropriate car seat arrangement for a child who is 1 year old?

The appropriate car seat arrangement for a child who is 1 year old is rear-facing. This position is recommended because it provides the best protection for a young child's head, neck, and spine in the event of a crash. Rear-facing car seats are specifically designed to support a child's developing body, as they distribute crash forces more evenly across the back of the seat, minimizing the risk of injury.

As children grow, their neck and spine are still developing, and the rear-facing position helps to keep them safe during travel. Organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advocate for children to remain in a rear-facing seat until they reach the maximum height or weight limit specified by the car seat manufacturer.

Other options such as using a booster seat or forward-facing are not suitable for a 1-year-old as they do not provide the same level of protection as rear-facing. Booster seats are intended for older children who have outgrown their forward-facing seats and can properly use a seatbelt, while forward-facing seats typically require children to be at least 2 years old to ensure their safety. Additionally, choosing "none required" fails to acknowledge the importance of using a child safety seat for all young children. Therefore, rear-facing is