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Early DevelopmentInfant and Early Childhood Mental HealthPhysical Health & NutritionState and Local Policy

No Baby Goes Hungry: Ensuring Infant and Toddler Food Security

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Proper nutrition during early childhood lays the foundation for lifelong health, but cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could put many babies at risk.

SNAP helps families afford nutritious food, preventing malnutrition and developmental delays caused by food insecurity. No baby should go hungry, yet reductions in SNAP benefits would make it harder for families to provide the nourishment their children need to thrive. Protecting access to nutritious food is essential for babies’ well-being and long-term development.

This resource center is designed for early childhood professionals working with families affected by food insecurity and changes to SNAP benefits or other essential services. It provides trauma-informed guidance, tools, and connections to help professionals support the developmental and emotional well-being of babies, toddlers, and their caregivers facing financial instability and limited access to healthcare and nutrition.

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Current events and policy changes can have profound effects on families, often increasing stress and even leading to trauma.

Our federal policy team is deeply involved in shaping decisions that impact the well-being of babies and their families. Stay up-to-date on our latest issues.

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By the Numbers

4.5 million

An estimated 4.5 million children ages 0-4 participate in SNAP.

62%

Nearly 62 percent of SNAP participants are in families with children.

14 million

In 2023, nearly 14 million children – or one in five children – in the United States faced hunger, which means they didn’t have enough food to eat.   

Resources for professionals

Early childhood professionals play a critical role in supporting families facing food insecurity or changes to SNAP benefits.

  • Educate caregivers about SNAP eligibility, application processes, and how to appeal reductions in benefits.
  • Share information on local food banks, WIC programs, and meal assistance programs available in their community.
  • Encourage participation in school and community meal programs that offer food support for young children.
  • Stay informed about proposed changes to food assistance programs and educate families about their rights.
  • Engage in advocacy efforts by writing to policymakers, signing petitions, or joining professional organizations working to protect SNAP.
  • Raise awareness by discussing the impact of food insecurity on child development with local leaders and organizations.
  • Offer guidance on maximizing SNAP benefits by teaching families how to plan meals, shop on a budget, and choose nutritious options.
  • Provide simple, affordable recipes that emphasize nutritious, accessible ingredients.
  • Encourage breastfeeding support for mothers who may need assistance with infant nutrition.
  • Advocate for healthy meal and snack programs in early childhood centers and schools.
  • Partner with food assistance programs to bring free or low-cost meals to child care settings.
  • Create emergency food pantries in child care centers or community hubs for families in crisis.
  • Consider implementing social determinants of health screening into your program’s protocols to determine if families are facing food insecurity.
  • Recognize signs of food insecurity such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, or behavioral changes in young children.
  • Help reduce stigma by creating a supportive and understanding environment for families experiencing food insecurity.
  • Encourage social connections by linking families to parent groups, community meal programs, or peer support networks.

Research and Literature on Early Childhood Nutrition Programs

Making America Healthy Again for Children

First Focus on Children urges the administration to protect and enhance Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which together insure half of all U.S. children, improve infant and maternal health, upgrade pediatric emergency and cancer care.

read now

How does nutrition affect the developing brain?

Brain development is most sensitive to a baby’s nutrition between mid-gestation and two years of age. A baby’s birth weight and brain size are significantly influenced by the mother’s nutrition during pregnancy. 

 
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The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Infants and Toddlers

SNAP has been found to decrease families’ and children’s food insecurity, providing crucial support to families in every state. SNAP helps millions of households with children afford a nutritionally adequate diet each month and must be properly funded.

see infographic

HealthySteps in Action: Food Insecurity

HealthySteps requires universal screening of families with children ages 0-3 for family needs, including food insecurity, and connects families to community resources.
see infographic

State Innovations and Opportunities with SNAP & TANF to Build Family Economic Security and Mobility

This presentation showcases research addressing the intent and efficacy of SNAP and TANF in reducing poverty and how states are administering benefits.

 
see now

Economic study shows combination of SNAP and WIC improves food security

Economists developed a methodology to analyze potential redundancies between two food assistance programs — SNAP and WIC. Their research shows that participating in both programs compared to SNAP alone increases food security by at least 2 percentage points and potentially as much as 24 percentage points.

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At the heart of the issue is adjunctive eligibility, a streamlined process that allows families to qualify for WIC if they are already enrolled in other income-tested programs like Medicaid or SNAP.

read more

Resources for parents

Find guidance and tools for caregivers facing financial instability and limited access to healthcare and nutrition.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) can help you and your young children get food, nutrition counseling, and social service referrals. Find out if you are eligible for WIC.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a federally funded, state-run program. Also known as welfare, TANF helps families pay for:

  • Food
  • Housing
  • Home energy
  • Child care
 
Family at the dinner table with a toddler and a baby
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Rooted in trauma-informed practices, ZERO TO THREE’s virtual and in-person trainings offer the latest from our experts in early childhood development. 

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April 22, 2025

DC:0—5™: Clinical Training

Tailored for those working with infants and young children, focusing on assessment, diagnosis, and case formulation.
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May 7, 2025

The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old Virtual Training of Trainers

Our newly designed virtual Training of Trainers combines live online events and self-study to support your journey towards becoming a ZERO TO THREE certified trainer of The Growing Brain curriculum.
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May 14, 2025

Unlock the Power of Building for Babies: A State Policy Self-Assessment Suite

Join us for an introduction to Building for Babies: A State Policy Self-Assessment Suite, a tool designed to help states strengthen prenatal-to-3 systems through more than 100 infant and toddler policy recommendations.
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May 22, 2025

The Power of Parent Leadership: Stories, Strategies and Successes

Join Safe Babies, a program of ZERO TO THREE™, for a webinar during National Parent Leadership Month recognizing the important role of parents and caregivers in their families and communities.
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June 17, 2025

DC:0—5™: Clinical Training

Tailored for those working with infants and young children, focusing on assessment, diagnosis, and case formulation.
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July 15, 2025

Infant Mental Health Training: What You Need to Know

The DC:0-5 Overview Training helps administrators and allied professionals gain a foundation for understanding this diagnostic system.
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July 16, 2025

The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old Virtual Training of Trainers

Our newly designed virtual Training of Trainers combines live online events and self-study to support your journey towards becoming a ZERO TO THREE certified trainer of The Growing Brain curriculum.
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August 5, 2025

The Growing Brain Basics Webinar Series

Explore how the brain grows and develops from conception to 5 years old and how you can support healthy brain development during these years when the brain is the most plastic, or receptive to change.
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September 10, 2025

The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old Virtual Training of Trainers

Our newly designed virtual Training of Trainers combines live online events and self-study to support your journey towards becoming a ZERO TO THREE certified trainer of The Growing Brain curriculum.
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September 16, 2025

Infant Mental Health Training: What You Need to Know

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LEARN Conference 2025

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