Where children are born can affect their chances for a strong start in life. Babies need Good Health, Strong Families, and Positive Early Learning Experiences to foster their healthy brain development and help them realize their full potential.
This national profile provides a snapshot of how infants, toddlers, and their families are faring in each of these three policy domains. Within each domain, view data for selected child, family, and policy indicators. The profile begins with a demographic description of the nation’s babies and families to offer the broadest context for exploring what may be very different experiences of the nation’s youngest children.
Demographics
Infants and toddlers in the United States
The United States is home to 11,034,857 babies, representing 3.3 percent of the nation’s population. As many as 38.9 percent live in households with incomes less than twice the federal poverty line (in 2021, about $55,000 for a family of four1), placing them at economic disadvantage. America’s youngest children are diverse and are raised in a variety of family contexts and household structures.
to see selected indicators by subgroup.
**Subset of "In Poverty"
Good Health
How are United States' babies faring in Good Health?
Supporting babies’ and mothers’ physical and mental health provides the foundation for infants’ lifelong physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well-being. Babies’ brains grow rapidly in the first years of life, and, in these early years, the brain works with other organs and organ systems to set the stage for subsequent development and health outcomes. Equitable access to good nutrition during the prenatal period and first years of life is key to ensure that babies receive the nourishment and care they need for a strong start in life. Strengthening equitable access to integrated, affordable maternal, pediatric, and family health care is also essential to meeting babies’ and families’ health and developmental needs.
National data in the Good Health domain include indicators of maternal and child health, including health care coverage, prenatal care, birth outcomes, and receipt of recommended preventive care as well as nutrition and mental health. Babies and toddlers have made small gains in areas such as the number of states extending postpartum Medicaid coverage. However, gains in this domain may not be shared by all groups, as reflected in the subgroup view of the profile.
Key Indicators of Good Health
to see selected indicators by
subgroup.
Good Health Policy in America
- Recommended 27
- Allowed 9
- No Policy 7
- Required 8
- All employees covered (private and state) 5
- State employees only 3
- Limited coverage: State employees and private employees with exceptions 23
- No protections 20
- No law beyond mandatory 60 days 22
- Law covering all women for 1 year post-partum 29
- Law covering either some women but not all, or all women but for less than 1 year 0
All Good Health Indicators
Strong Families
How are United States' babies faring in Strong Families?
Young children develop in the context of their families, where stability, safety, and supportive relationships nurture their growth. All families may benefit from parenting supports, but families with low income and in historically marginalized communities of color face additional challenges that impact their babies’ immediate and future well-being.
National data in the Strong Families domain include indicators of child and family well-being, including resilience and adverse childhood experiences; basic needs, including food insecurity, housing circumstances, and receipt of TANF benefits among families in poverty; and child welfare, including child maltreatment and movement of infants and toddlers into and out of the foster care system. Babies and toddlers have made small gains in areas such as the number of states offering a state child tax credit and paid family leave. However, gains in this domain may not be shared by all groups, as reflected in the subgroup view of the profile.
Key Indicators of Strong Families
to see selected indicators by
subgroup.
Strong Families Policy in America
All Strong Families Indicators
Positive Early Learning Experiences
How are United States' babies faring in Positive Early Learning?
Infants and toddlers learn through interactions with the significant adults in their lives and active exploration of enriching environments. The quality of babies’ early learning experiences at home and in other care settings can impact their cognitive and social-emotional development as well as early literacy. High-quality early childhood care can strengthen parents’ interactions with their children in the home learning environment and support parents’ ability to go to work or attend school. Equitable access to high-quality care across factors like race, ethnicity, and income, ensures all infants and toddlers have the opportunity for optimal development. However, disparities in access to high-quality care remain across many states and communities in the United States.
National data in the Positive Early Learning Experiences domain include indicators related to exposure to early learning opportunities at home, child care quality and access to child care, and the prevalence of developmental screenings and services. Babies and toddlers have made small gains in areas such as the number of states with an income eligibility level for child care subsidy above 200% of the federal poverty line. However, gains in this domain may not be shared by all groups, as reflected in the subgroup view of the profile.
Key Indicators of Positive Early Learning Experiences
to see selected indicators by
subgroup.
Positive Early Learning Experiences Policy in America
- Infants 16
- Infants and Younger Toddlers 5
- All age groups 3
- Not met 28
- Infants 22
- Infants and Younger Toddlers 11
- All age groups 4
- Not met 15
- Bachelor’s degree 1
- CDA/state equivalent required 5
- No credential beyond high school 46