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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 Formula Stage 2 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 needsw ith 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 nutritional scientist 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 pro and pre-biotics 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 make sure they’re still getting the higher levels of key nutrients like calcium and iron while exploring solids.
This brought me a lot of confidence as I fed my baby, 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 Happy Family’s scientist on staff explains, “The recommendation is to use formula as the sole source of nutrition for the first six months. After that, it complements solid foods, which is why the staged approach can be important.”
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: to grow with your little one, supporting every stage of early development. The Stage 2 formula steps up the nutrition with higher levels of calcium, iron, iodine, phosphorus, and selenium, which are perfect 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 in keeping things balanced. Happy Baby’s probiotic and prebiotic blend is designed with this in mind, promoting softer, more regular stools and a gut environment closer to that of breastfed infants *as compared to formula with out prebiotics and probiotics. With a prebiotic ratio that mimics human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), it offers truly targeted support for your little one’s digestive and immune health. Anything like this that gets my kiddos closer to breastmilk is a win for me!
As Jessica Brennan MS, RD, Senior Nutrition Scientist at Danone explains, “We’re the only USDA organic formula that includes both prebiotics and probiotics. Clinically studied together, they support softer, more regular stools and help the gut microbiome resemble that of breastfed infants.” 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, so getting the chance to talk to a nutritional scientist about what sets this formula apart from others was really special. First and perhaps foremost, the formula’s primary ingredient is lactose, which is also the first ingredient in breastmilk.
On top of that, Happy Baby unique probiotic and prebiotic blend helps support gut development. According to recent research (Zhang, Ding, Feng, & Liao, 2025), the gut can play a role in digestion, nutrient absorption and immune health. It can affect digestion, nutrient absorption, immunity, and even mood or comfort. That’s why supporting a healthy gut early on is so important.
It also has of DHA, which help support brain and eye development, along with a variety of vitamins and minerals found in breastmilk to ensure complete nutrition. As a scientist on their team explains, “Stage 2 has higher levels of calcium, iodine, iron, phosphorus, and selenium to support the nutritional needs of growing babies. It’s all intentional, inspired by how breast milk naturally fluctuates.” 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 (“peanut-buttery” perfection), 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 a Smooth Weaning Transition
Since Stage 2 formula is designed for the later half of a baby’s first year, it’s worth talking about the weaning process that 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. Turning 1 isn’t a magic switch for weaning, and if you use Happy Baby, you might find your little one isn’t in a rush to leave it behind either!
Stage 2 formula really feels like it grows with your baby. From 6 to 12 months, it adapts as their needs change, supporting growth, digestion with prebiotics and probiotics that support digestive health, and the transition to more solid foods. I loved seeing how smoothly it fit into my youngest’s routine, even months past his first birthday. 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
