How Food Insecurity Affects Breastfeeding After Having a Baby

How food insecurity and breastfeeding are connected after birth

After having a baby, the biggest breastfeed question might seem like technique or timing. For some mothers, a more pressing worry is whether they can reliably afford enough food. A New York City study recently explored the food insecurity breastfeeding connection among mothers who gave birth during the pandemic years. It found that mothers facing uncertain food access were less likely to exclusively breastfeed during both the early and later stages of that period. Around 24% of the mothers in the study were experiencing food insecurity. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Raising the topic with your care team early can open doors to breastfeeding support that works for your circumstances.¹

What the research found

This research is part of the COVID-19 Mother-Baby Outcomes project, also called COMBO. The team enrolled infants from birth in New York City between March 2020 and May 2024. That timeframe spans the early pandemic months and the years that followed, allowing the researchers to track how changing economic and social conditions may have shaped feeding patterns across different periods. Mothers answered questions about their food situation, feeding choices, and how confident they felt about feeding their baby during this time.¹

To examine the food insecurity breastfeeding link, researchers asked mothers about food access in the 30 days before the survey. They used a short 2-item screening tool adapted from an established food security measure. The team also recorded feeding confidence at the time of discharge and current infant feeding practices, including whether mothers were exclusively breastfeeding, using formula, or combining both. This gave the researchers a snapshot of how food access and feeding were connected at different points during the pandemic.¹

1. Roughly 24% of postpartum mothers in the study were experiencing food insecurity during the survey period.¹
2. Mothers facing food insecurity showed lower odds of exclusive breastfeeding during the early pandemic wave, which ran from March 2020 to December 2021.¹
3. The same pattern held during the later period, from January 2022 to May 2024, suggesting the link persisted over time.¹
4. In comparisons without adjustments, 44% of food-insecure mothers chose formula feeding compared with 28% of mothers with stable food access.¹

The food insecurity breastfeeding link in everyday life

Why might food access shape feeding choices? When you are unsure where your next meal is coming from, the energy and time needed for exclusive feeding can feel harder to maintain. Daily demands increase. Coping with a newborn while worrying about groceries adds a real layer of difficulty. Mothers dealing with food uncertainty may face competing priorities that make focusing on breastfeeding alone feel out of reach. Having enough to eat supports your own wellbeing and makes it easier to care for a baby.

The study also found that food insecurity was more common among mothers who preferred Spanish and those who identified as Latina. This does not mean the issue belongs to one group alone. It highlights how language, cultural context, and access to community resources all shape whether a family has consistent food. These factors can also affect whether a mother feels comfortable asking for help with breastfeeding or other needs. The pattern suggests that support services need to reach mothers across different backgrounds and languages.¹

These findings come from mothers in New York City during a specific stretch of time. The exact rates may differ where you live. What remains meaningful is the broader pattern. When food access is unstable, exclusive breastfeeding becomes harder to sustain. The researchers point out that changing external factors across the study period, such as shifts in social services, community support, and the 2022 formula shortage, may have influenced feeding decisions alongside food insecurity itself. Other measured factors did not fully explain this link.¹

What researchers suggest for new mothers

The study authors highlight 2 clear areas where food insecurity breastfeeding support could make a difference. First, checking in with new mothers about food access after birth through simple screening questions. This helps identify families who might benefit from extra help before feeding challenges escalate. Second, making breastfeeding support available and shaped around the needs of mothers dealing with food uncertainty. That could include connecting mothers with food assistance programs alongside breastfeeding guidance.¹

What does food insecurity mean?

What it means

Food insecurity describes a situation where a person or household does not have reliable access to enough affordable, nutritious food. It can be temporary or ongoing, and it can range from worrying about running out of food to actually skipping meals.

How it shows up in daily life

It can mean stretching meals, choosing cheaper but less filling options, or feeling anxious about whether food will last through the week. For a new mother, this kind of stress can make it harder to focus on feeding a baby.

Who it can affect

Food insecurity can happen in any household. It is not only about income level on paper, but about whether food is consistently within reach. Job changes, rising costs, or unexpected expenses can all play a part.

Steps that may help

• If food access is uncertain, mention it to your midwife or care provider at your next visit. They can connect you with local help for groceries or meals.
• Ask about community resources that support families after a new baby arrives, such as food banks, meal delivery services, or local assistance programs.
• Look into breastfeeding peer support groups near you. Practical tips and shared experience from other mothers can make a real difference when feeding feels difficult.
• If exclusive breastfeeding feels difficult, a mixed approach with formula is a valid option. A feeding plan that works for you and your baby is what matters most.
• Keep a note of any questions or worries about food and feeding to bring to your next appointment. Writing things down can help you cover everything during a short visit.

Taking it forward

If food access is a concern for you right now, consider bringing it up at your next check-in with a midwife or other care provider. Many care teams can connect you with local programs that help with groceries or breastfeeding guidance. You do not have to figure this out alone. Even a short conversation about what you are experiencing can be a first step toward getting the right support at the right time. Sharing your situation openly helps your care team understand what kind of help would be most useful.

The bottom line is simple. Food insecurity after birth may make exclusive breastfeeding harder, and it affects more mothers than many people realize. Screening and targeted support are what researchers call for. If this is your experience, reaching out early gives you the best chance of finding help that fits your life. Support that addresses both food access and breastfeeding together can help ease that pressure.

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