09/05/2026
Nobody hands you a formula stage guide when you leave the hospital.
At Organic Formula Shop, one of the questions we hear most is simply — what is the difference between the stages and when do we switch?
Here is the honest answer. The stages are not about moving up. They are about moving with your baby. Each one is built for a specific developmental moment, not just an age printed on a label.
PRE and Stage 1 are complete from birth. Gentle, lactose-based, everything a newborn needs.
Stage 2 is not an upgrade — it is a recalibration. Around 6 months, natural iron stores start to deplete and babies are burning more energy as they get mobile. The signal to consider switching is usually a hungry baby, not a date on the calendar.
Stage 3 bridges formula and a more varied solid food diet. Stage 4 supports toddlers who are still transitioning.
And if a baby is thriving on their current stage? There is no rush. Organic Formula Shop always says the same thing — watch your baby, not the tin.
Save this for when the questions start. Drop a comment below if you are not sure which stage is right for your little one right now — the team answers every one. 🌿