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RATTLED: Babies, Families and a Year of Growing Strain

A national snapshot of life for families with infants and toddlers in 2025 reveals a troubling reality: economic pressure, emotional distress and uncertainty intensified across the year even as families fought to provide stability and love for their babies.

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Babies Bear the Brunt of Economic Hardship

Families across the country reported mounting hardship paying for the very basics like food, housing and healthcare, and by the end of 2025, 53% of parents reported difficulty paying for the essentials. Low-income families in particular felt the squeeze of rising costs of “everything” from food and utilities to child care, diapers and strollers. Food insecurity among parents with babies and toddlers nearly doubled from the start to end of 2025, and renters increasingly struggled to keep up with housing costs.

Rent takes up most of our income, and on top of that, the utility bills keep rising. Some months, it feels like we have to choose between keeping the lights on or buying groceries… I just want stability for my family.

Parent in Tennessee

Basic Needs

By the end of 2025, over half of families with infants and toddlers (53%) struggled to pay for essentials such as food and housing.

Food Insecurity

Food insecurity among parents with infants and toddlers – measured by not having money to afford balanced meals and skipping meals or eating less because there wasn’t enough money – increased from 13% in January 2025 to 24% in December 2025.

Housing Instability

1 in 5 families who rented their home reported difficulty paying their rent and 30% worried about not being able to afford their rent in 2025.

Growing Disparities

Families living with the lowest incomes, Latine and Black parents, and families living in rural communities experienced these challenges most acutely.

Parents’ Stress Is Affecting Babies, Too

As economic pressure intensified, parents reported rising levels of anxiety, depression, stress and loneliness. Families worried not only about surviving financially, but also about how ongoing stress was affecting their babies’ emotional well-being and development.

Ongoing uncertainties have caused increased stress and anxiety for both me and my child, impacting our emotional well-being and daily routines.

Parent in Texas

Child Development

Concerns: Across 2025, an average 55% of parents reported some level of concern about their child’s learning, development or behavior and about a quarter reported they were very concerned, a rate that is double any previous year since 2020.

Parent Anxiety

From January to November 2025, the percentage of parents reporting elevated anxiety symptoms rose from 21% to 29%.

Parent Depression

From January to November 2025, the percentage of parents reporting elevated depression symptoms rose from 14% to 25%.

Disparities in Health Care and Child Care

Parents in immigrant and Latine communities reported higher rates of missed preventative health care visits and days of child care.

Families Demonstrated Resilience Despite Hardship — But They Need Support

Even faced with rising challenges, parents continued to create routines, nurture relationships and show up for their babies. But resilience alone cannot replace strong policies and resources babies need during their first three years, a critical period of brain development that sets the foundation for all later learning and health. Families repeatedly called for affordable child care, housing stability, mental health care, paid leave and economic relief.

Talking openly, spending time together, and leaning on our faith and close friends has really helped us stay strong through challenges. Knowing we’re not alone makes a big difference.

Parent in Nebraska

Families Need Support

Resilience alone cannot replace strong policies and resources during babies’ first three years, a critical period for brain development.

Early Investments

Parents emphasized that investments in affordable health care, fair wages and family stability strengthen not only individual families, but the country’s future.

Thrive, Not Just Survive

Families repeatedly called for affordable child care, housing stability, paid leave, mental health care, food security and economic relief — policies that help families thrive, not just get by.

Download the Full Report

RATTLED: Tracking the Experiences of Families with Infants and Toddlers pdf 1.98 MB

Babies Can't Wait

Families are clear about what they need: affordable health care, food security, stable housing, mental health support, paid leave, and access to quality child care. Policymakers have an opportunity and responsibility to act.

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