Shira Stein

Shira Stein is the lead Mom Rep at online baby and parenting gear company, PishPoshBaby.com. She drives many of the company’s product selections based on experience, testing and customer feedback. In addition, she provides moms and dads with real world advice about the ups and downs of parenting and helps them navigate this special journey. The dream of PishPoshBaby was born out of a desire to find the more reliable baby products and advice available to real moms just like you. Their high-quality online store supplies facts and advice to parents who are completely lost in the whirlwind of baby gear. Visit their site at www.pishposhbaby.com for more information and follow their blog. You can also “LIKE” them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @pishposhbaby, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Learning through play is the primary way young children learn and practice new skills.  Bath toys can provide hours of entertainment and education for kids.  When selecting bath toys make sure there are not any cords that could cause choking and small pieces that could be swallowed or pushed up their nose, and ensure the toys are non-toxic. Bath time can be a terrific time to reinforce skills kids are learning like colors, counting, shapes...

When thinking about designing a nursery, some parents get lost in cute blankets and wall art. Over the next year, you will be spending more time in the nursery than possibly any other room in your house (ok, probably the laundry room!) You need to make the nursery as functional as it is adorable. Here are a few nursery design tips to separate your space into five purposeful zones: The Sleep Zone. Most new parents agree that getting baby to...

School is almost out for the day and soon your kids will be barreling in through the door. Are you prepared to greet them with warm, home-made chocolate chip cookies and milk in hand? Many kids are picky eaters and willing to starve themselves while in school (after all, school lunches leave much to be desired). So when the kids walk through the door after a long day of school tired and hungry, all they really want is a little bit of love and...

Wondering how you can squeeze in a work out when you can barely squeeze in a nap? We’ve all been there. You feel like you just got home with your bouncing bundle of joy and all the sudden six weeks later you’re still exhausted and none of your clothes fit. Don’t worry, Mom, Here are a few fool proof tricks to burning those extra baby pounds off. – You don’t need a fancy home gym for a great work out. Put baby in your new carrier or...

You’ve heard it all before, “you’re eating for two,” “baby wants this ice cream,” “I’m nursing; I HAVE to eat these cookies!” How are you supposed to eat healthy in a world of morning sickness, cravings and midnight feeding sessions? Just remember, to properly take care of your brand new baby, you have to properly take care of yourself. At least for the foreseeable future, you alone will be your child’s sole source of...

Making homemade baby food is something wonderful you can do for your kids. It allows you to know exactly what goes into every meal and more importantly, what doesn’t. Even if a jar says “preservative-free” or “all natural,” that still means the once healthy whole fruits and veggies have been super-heated and processed beyond recognition, removing tons of nutritional value and flavor. If it was simply a nutritional benefit to make baby...

Having a baby entails its own special economics. It needs an entirely new kind of financial responsibility that requires planning way ahead before giving birth. Aside from crunching big numbers involving hospital bills, medical expenses, and even school tuition fees, however, there are small but smart ways you can save up for your new baby. Come up with a practical baby gift registry. New babies need a lot of things, and a baby registry is...

Raising grateful children is not as simple as having them memorize the alphabet. Sure, they can learn it by rote, but genuine appreciation is an ongoing process up until they reach adulthood. Toddlers are expected to be self-centered, but teaching them the value of appreciation at a very young age will keep them from becoming spoiled, entitled people somewhere down the line.   Don’t equate special occasions with gifts Momentous...

Babies can grow up at an alarming rate (and not just physically!). Their brains, along with their five senses, needs the right kind of stimulation for proper development. Some parents start as early as the pregnancy stage by listening to classical music and taking pediatrician-recommended supplements. Once baby is born, however, you should continue to stimulate their mental, visual, auditory, and tactile capabilities with these simple but...

Having your baby transition from baby food to solids can either prove to be a breeze or a challenge. Many first-time parents ask which age is appropriate to introduce their child to solid food from puréed ones. A pediatrician can help decide when and what to feed your baby. And while there isn’t a set period for the transition, there are practical ways to prepare your bundle of joy for real food. Give thicker purées as an intro to solid...

There are many factors to consider in order to find the best next-level car seat for your baby. As a toddler, your child’s safety needs change from those during the infancy stage. A convertible car seat must meet Federal regulations to ensure your child’s safety, as well as, include these following five important qualities. Maximum weight for rear/forward-facing position Children below two years of age are required by law to be in a...

The countdown is on until Winter Break for kids everywhere. Although the kids are thrilled about two weeks off from school, it will only be a matter of time until you start hearing the words “I’m bored!” Don’t panic parents—I’ve got plenty of fun ideas for you to keep things interesting for the kiddos during Winter Break and beyond.  And the best part is all the projects are easy and for kids of all ages.   Pinecone Bird...