The Happiest Baby Apology: What Happened to Brooklyn Larsen’s Baby?
The Happiest Baby apology has sparked intense conversations online after a deeply emotional incident involving influencer Brooklyn Larsen
The Happiest Baby apology has sparked intense conversations online after a deeply emotional incident involving influencer Brooklyn Larsen. The tragedy surrounding the stillbirth of Larsen’s son, Rocky, was compounded when the baby care brand allegedly asked her to return a gifted product during her grieving process. As the story gained traction on social media, it not only brought attention to Brooklyn Larsen’s heartbreaking loss but also raised critical questions about empathy, corporate responsibility, and how brands handle collaborations during times of personal tragedy.
Who is Brooklyn Larsen and why is she at the center of this controversy?
Brooklyn Larsen, a former contestant on So You Think You Can Dance, has become a focal point of public sympathy and online outrage after experiencing a heartbreaking tragedy: the stillbirth of her son Rocky in November 2024. At 40 weeks and 2 days pregnant, Brooklyn went into labor and arrived at the hospital with her husband, Tanner Larsen, only to receive the devastating news that their baby’s heartbeat could not be found.
The couple shared the news on Instagram, expressing the depth of their grief and the pain of losing their son. Brooklyn, already a mother to a 4-year-old boy named Rome from a previous relationship, had also experienced a miscarriage just months earlier, in December 2023. The loss of Rocky compounded their sorrow and left followers deeply moved by her vulnerability and honesty.
Why did Happiest Baby face backlash from the public?
The controversy began when Happiest Baby, the company behind the popular SNOO Smart Sleeper, allegedly asked Brooklyn Larsen to return the $1,700 bassinet they had gifted her in exchange for social media promotion. After Brooklyn informed the brand that she could not fulfill the content agreement due to the loss of her baby, the brand reportedly requested the return of the unused product.
The request was made public by Brooklyn’s sister, Kenna Bangerter, who shared her outrage on Instagram. “Think about why she couldn’t deliver the content,” Kenna wrote. “I’m absolutely disgusted by a BABY brand that promotes support for moms & babies but can’t give her the space to grieve the bassinet she never got to fill.”
What was Happiest Baby’s official apology?
On March 24, Happiest Baby issued a public statement to Today, acknowledging the insensitivity of their request and apologizing for the additional pain it caused Brooklyn and her family.
“We cannot express more emphatically our deepest sympathy for what she and her family have been through following the loss of her son. What was intended to be an effort to provide assistance clearly was a mistake that added to Brooklyn’s grief, for which we are truly sorry.”
The statement also noted that the company had taken internal measures to ensure such incidents would not happen again.
“We have taken internal steps to make sure it never happens again. What Brooklyn faced was a tragedy beyond comprehension, and we are heartbroken for her loss.”
Despite the apology, public sentiment continued to criticize the brand for its lack of empathy.
ALSO READ: Who owns the Signal app? Is it better than WhatsApp? What we know
How have other public figures responded?
The incident caught the attention of several influencers and fellow public figures. Former SYTYCD alum Witney Carson commented on Happiest Baby’s social media, saying, “Very disappointed in your brand and the way you have handled the situation with Brooklyn. Be better for future mothers. Lost me as a customer and supporter.”
Influencer Allison Kuch also added, “Disgusted by the lack of human compassion & empathy.”
The backlash underscores how consumer expectations for brands now go beyond product quality — they include emotional intelligence, ethical behavior, and human sensitivity, especially in moments of grief.
What is the SNOO Smart Sleeper and who founded Happiest Baby?
Happiest Baby was founded by Dr. Harvey Karp, a renowned pediatrician and expert in child development. The SNOO Smart Sleeper is the brand’s flagship product, designed to soothe newborns through gentle rocking and white noise that mimics the womb environment. Despite its innovative technology and luxury appeal, the brand’s reputation has taken a hit due to the incident with Brooklyn Larsen.
How did Brooklyn Larsen cope with the loss?
Brooklyn has continued to share glimpses of her grief journey on social media. In February 2025, on the three-month anniversary of Rocky’s passing, she posted a touching tribute:
“I wake up every day, and for a few seconds, there’s a sense of bliss before it hits me — he’s gone. Rocky wasn’t just in my head. He was here; I birthed him, and now he’s gone. People’s worst nightmare is my everyday reality.”
She also shared a moment of peace when ordering a drink and giving the name “Rocky” for the order. The barista smiled and said, “That’s the coolest name.” Brooklyn wrote, “I might start using his name more like that — it felt nice.”
