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As an exclusively formula-fed mom of two, I’m grateful for how much the conversation around infant feeding has shifted in recent years – and the number of great formula options that have entered the market. After testing several of them for my youngest, Happy Baby’s Organic Infant became my go-to for the latter half of his first year.
Put simply, I love that you can get it straight to your door and that it’s designed to adapt to baby’s changing needs with higher levels of key nutrients like iron and calcium – but don’t just take my word for it! Here, I’m breaking down why it landed at the top of my list. Plus, our team chatted with a Registered Dietician to get the scoop on why Stage 2 formula works so well.
We like
- Now available online for easy delivery to your door!
- The cap has a place to store the scoop… IYKYK!
- Modelled after breast milk
- Features probiotics and prebiotics to help support gut health
- Manufactured in Europe
We don't like
- Not available in all stores – some regions may need to rely on online ordering
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Why Stage 2 Formula Matters
Stage 2 formula is great because it grows with your baby. Around 6–12 months, their needs start to change, and this formula helps them get higher levels of key nutrients, like calcium and iron, while exploring solids.
This brought me a lot of confidence as I fed my baby, knowing I was giving him what I felt was best for him as he grew. As Jessica Brennan MS, RD, Senior Nutrition and Scientific Affairs manager at Happy Family explains, “For the first 6 months of life, breast milk and/or formula is recommended as the sole source of nutrition for baby. After that, solid foods complement breast milk and/or formula. This is why, for formula, a staged approach can be helpful.”
This is especially important because breast milk adapts as a baby gets older. How cool is that? I feel good knowing the formula I’m using is modelled after breast milk and designed with my older baby’s needs in mind.
What Makes Happy Baby Stage 2 Different
Happy Baby’s Stage 2 Formula provides complete nutrition for babies 6+ months and is designed to grow with your little one. The Stage 2 formula steps up the nutrition with higher levels of calcium, iron, iodine, phosphorus, and selenium compared to their Stage 1 formula, and is intended for babies as they start exploring solid foods.
Your baby’s developing gut microbiome is the foundation for their future health, with about70% of the immune system located in the gut.* Breastfed babies’ guts are typically rich in beneficial bacteria, which is helpful for microbiome development. As Brennan explains, “The first 1,000 days are critical for shaping the microbiome and supporting immune system development. Specific probiotics and prebiotics have been shown to provide helpful support during this time. Happy Baby Organics infant formula was specifically designed to include these beneficial ingredients for babies.” *compared to formula without prebiotics and probiotics.
In fact, Happy Baby is the only USDA organic formula that includes both prebiotics and probiotics. Their probiotic and prebiotic blend has been clinically shown to help support softer, more regular stools and promote gut bacteria closer to breastfed infants, compared to formula without prebiotics and probiotics. The prebiotic ratio in Happy Baby’s formula was inspired by the ratio of short-to-long chain human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in breast milk. The probiotic and prebiotic blend also helps support your little immune system development.
On top of all that, Happy Baby is held to rigorous safety standards, so parents like me can feel confident they’re giving their baby something wholesome and reliable.
Let’s Get Nerdy – The Nutritional Composition of the Formula
I’m a science geek by training (biomedical engineer!), so getting the chance to talk to a Registered Dietician about what sets this formula apart from others was really special. First and perhaps foremost, the formula’s primary ingredient is lactose and is the most abundant nutrient in breastmilk.
On top of that, Happy Baby unique probiotic and prebiotic blend helps support gut health. Specifically, it helps promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, called Bifidobacteria.
It also has omega-3 DHA, which helps support brain and eye development, along with a variety of vitamins and minerals found in breastmilk to ensure complete nutrition. And finally, there’s no corn syrup added, which kind of blows my mind that we even have to point that out. Check the labels, friends: it’s in a lot of formulas, but not this one!
Real Stories From Happy Baby Families
Though my babies are just out of formula age now, I remember the differences in formulas all too well. There’s nothing like testing something on your own kid, and the Stage 2 formula didn’t disappoint. The packaging is a total win for parents: a click-tight lid, built-in scoop holder (no more digging around and getting powder all over your fingers), and easy to open with one hand when your baby’s in the other. Name another brand that does this! Even better, they now will deliver straight to your door! No more sleepy store runs.
My youngest, Teddy, took to it instantly, and the transition was smooth. Even better? His poops are softer and more regular, which was something we hadn’t always seen with other formulas. I could go deep into poop charts… but I’ll spare you the gory details here. Mom to mom, these were great poops that I was happy to report to the pediatrician.
Tips for Introduction Complementary Foods
Since Stage 2 formula is designed for the later half of a baby’s first year, it’s worth talking about introducing solids, which happens during those months. From what I’ve seen, parents are either thrilled or nervous about it! I was excited, especially since my kids had done so well with baby-led weaning…but my youngest was not ready to give up his Happy Baby. Seriously, even a few months after his first birthday, he was still loving it. We eventually started mixing in cow’s milk to ease the transition, and I felt confident knowing he was still getting great nutrients.
Stage 2 formula really feels like it grows with your baby. From 6 to 12 months, it adapts as their needs change, with higher level of certain nutrients and probiotics and prebiotics that help support digestive health and immune system development, all while solid foods are introduced. I loved seeing how smoothly it fit into my youngest’s routine. It’s one of the small things that makes those months a little easier, knowing your baby is getting the nutrients they need as they hit each new milestone.
Give your baby the nutrients they need for their next milestones: try Happy Baby Stage 2 now!
*Ref: Furness et al., 1999
