registration now open
Los Alamitos, CA
Los Alamitos, CA
Gain confidence, knowledge and a supportive community – 100% in-person classes
gather in glow
Our signature offerings
core classes
newborn
0 – 3 months
register while pregnant
learn more >
infant
3 – 6 months
learn more >
rising
toddler
6 – 12 months
learn more >
toddler
12 – 18 months
learn more >
second time
moms
0 – 3 months
learn more >
breastfeeding
support group
learn more >
core classes
newborn
0 – 3 months
infant
3 – 6 months
rising toddler
6 – 12 months
toddler
12 – 18 months
second time moms
0 – 3 months
breastfeeding support group
loved by moms, recommended by doctors
we can’t wait to meet you
fill out this quick form and we’ll make sure to fill you in on everything that’s happening at New Mom School!
Why we exist
we’re fundamentally changing the way new moms are cared for.
The New Mom School is more than a stellar education in a supportive and dynamic environment. This expert innovation built on Community, Connection, Care, and oh so Cute, maximizes wellness for both mother and baby.
WILLIAM P. ADELMAN MD
MEDICAL DIRECTOR, PRIMARY CARE NETWORK
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF ORANGE COUNTY
I recommend New Mom School to all of my pregnant patients. I’m passionate about supporting new moms in the best way that I can, but practitioners simply don’t have the bandwidth to fully provide the guidance we would like moms to have. We know they need it. New Mom School is right there to pick up where we leave off and it addresses all of the challenges with their whole-person, mom-first approach. It’s a safe haven to share struggles with a compassionate community of support, led by expert guides that empower moms to succeed on their journey. There’s simply nothing else like it. And I get fewer calls from moms expressing struggles when they’re enrolled in NMS classes! It’s exactly what new moms need, and deserve.
GIGI KROLL MD - OB/GYN
FOUNDER OF NEWPORT CENTER
WOMEN'S HEALTH
The postnatal period is delicate and many new mothers aren't able to obtain the support they need following the birth of their baby. The repercussions of this lack of support can have a negative effect on mom and baby. The New Mom School provides this much-needed service that medical professionals aren't able to. I recommend this community to all new mothers.
JEFFREY ILLECK, MD
OB/GYN & FOUNDER OF BEACH OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
New Mom School provides an unparalleled environment of friendship, encouragement and education, so new moms can bond with one another as well as their new babies. I absolutely recommend New Mom School to any new mom - you need a community to not only share in the joys of motherhood but also support you through the inevitable challenges!
SANDRA PERTZ, MD
PEDIATRICIAN
The transition into being a new mom is joyous but can be tremendously overwhelming and isolating. A new mom's health and emotional state impacts her newborn's health and having the right support following a child's birth is essential for any new mom. I recommend The New Mom School to every new mother.
STEVEN ABELOWITZ MD
PEDIATRICIAN & FOUNDER OF COASTAL KIDS PEDIATRICS
Becoming a mother can be overwhelming and isolating. Having other moms with whom to laugh, cry, and commiserate is essential to mental health. The New Mom School provides much-needed community and has been a lifeline for so many of my patients.
SONYA RASMINSKY, MD
PSYCHIATRIST
Upon starting OB/GYN practice in Newport Beach, I learned about "New Mom School." I was immediately impressed by the tools and camaraderie that this offers to my patients in the postpartum period, and I highly recommend that they sign up during their pregnancy. Much emphasis is placed on the third trimester when we see pregnant women weekly. As obstetricians, we realize the need for more support and guidance after birth, and New Mom School helps bridge that gap. I wholeheartedly recommend it to all of my pregnant patients.
MARIE SHARPE, MD
OB/GYN
Parenthood was never meant to be done alone, and there is a reason behind the adage "it takes a village". New Mom School provides that "village" for new mothers that are looking for a support network. For new moms to meet in a group setting, to get expert answers to their questions and fears, to gain support and friendship from other women that are adjusting to motherhood. All of this is incredibly important. Several of my patients have been through the program, and their mothers speak of benefits and relationships that last far beyond the duration of the program. I highly recommend New Mom School to every new mother.
KRISTIN PELINKA, MD
PEDIATRICIAN
After having two children myself, I understand the great transition that occurs after childbirth. Not only is a mom healing, adjusting to hormone fluctuations, and dealing with sleep deprivation, she is also learning how to best care for her newborn child. I wish I had something like New Mom School when I was postpartum. I know I would have benefited from the weekly gatherings of women going through the same challenges. I am especially impressed with the content that they provide from lactation support to addressing mental health concerns. I recommend their classes to all my patients, and I love hearing about the long-term friendships that develop.
ZHANNA M. PINKUS, MD
OB/GYN
meet the owner
Vivian Potter
Location owner | Los Alamitos
Vivian is a proud mother to a beautiful daughter and a proud alumni of New Mom School — she has taken every class available to first time moms. Prior to opening the Los Alamitos location, Vivian worked in K-12 public education for 19 years and has been an adjunct professor at a local university. She started her career as a Spanish teacher at Oak and Los Al High, and served as high school and district administrator in several districts around Orange County and in Santa Monica. Vivian is passionate about education, parenthood, and community building and is so excited to create a space for moms to connect and find their village. In her free time Vivian enjoys traveling and learning about other cultures (she is trilingual!), cooking and trying new foods, knitting, wine tasting, sports (baseball and USC football), and spending time with her daughter and husband.
our network of resources
Breastfeeding Support
New Mom School
Breastfeeding Support Group – FREE!
newmomschoostg.wpenginepowered.com/breastfeeding-support
Shelly Jacobs, IBCLC
shellyjacobs.com/.
Postpartum Support In The Home
Newborn Nurtury
Day and Night Support Services
*Discounts Available For Our Class Members
(714) 747-5097
newbornnurtury.com/
Postpartum Therapists
Keira Merkovsky, LCSW
(949) 293-9643
counselingwithkeira.com
Laura Navarro-Pickens, LCSW
(562) 882-7901
therapistlaura.com
Shira Kfir, LCSW
(949) 943-0445
shirakfirlcsw.com
Low-Cost Therapy Services
livingsuccesscenter.org
Psychiatrists
Sonya Rasminsky, MD
sonyarasminsky.com
Harbor Psychiatry & Mental Health
harbormentalhealth.com
Postpartum Mental Health Resources
Hoag Maternal Mental Health Referral Line
949-764-5333
Postpartum Support International
(800) 944-4773
postpartum.net
OC Postpartum Wellness Program
(714) 480-5160
OChealthinfo.Com/Bhs/About/Pi
Postpartumdepression.Org
postpartumdepression.org
Couples Therapy
Meredith Hansen, PSY D
Drmeredithhansen.com
Chelsea Crow-Fuentes, LMFT
babybumptherapy.com
Courtney Shen Deshetler, PSY D
Socalcouplestherapy.com
Curry Psychology Group
currypsychology.com/
Insight Psychology Center
Insightpsychologycenter.com
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Pelvic Sanity
Women’s Health Physical Therapist
pelvicsanity.com/
Hoag Pelvic Health Program
Women’s Health Physical Therapist
(800) 400-4624
Hoag.Org/Specialties-Services/Other-Programs-Services/Pelvic-Health/
Pediatric Chiropractor
Dr. Valerie Farino, DC
drvaleriechiropractic.com
Dr. Tara Olivieri, DC
olivieriwellness.com
Pediatric Physical, OT, Speech Therapies
Pure Pediatric Therapy
purepeds.com/
Dr. Katie Donnelly, PT (In-Home Treatment)
PTforbaby.com
Acupuncture
Joyce Wellness Group
Dr. Megan Joyce
joycewellness.com
Dr. Christine Sanmiquel, L.AC
In-Home Treatment
ommami.com
Dr. Lauren Messelbeck, MS, L.AC
lifepointacupuncture.com
Samara White, LAC
Acupuncture and Craniosacral Therapy
counterpointwellness.com
Pediatric Sleep Consultant
Heather Steffens
Bonne Nuit Baby
bonnenuitbaby.com/Meet-Heather
Maternity Benefits & Employing Help In The Home
Lisa Pierson-Weinberger, Esq.
lawofficelpw.com
Newborn and Family Photography
Poppy Lea Photography
poppyleaphotography.com
Infertility Support
Infertility Unfiltered
Victoria Niño
infertilityunfiltered.com
Parenting Coach
Hayley Goldberg, LMFT
Heart Of Connecting
heartofconnecting.com
blog + resources
The Most Valuable Thing a Parent Can Do for Their Kids
My daughter Tish once came home from school and told me her friend’s parents were getting divorced. She asked, “Mom, will that ever happen to us?” I looked straight at her and...
Postnatal Depletion—Even 10 Years Later
Consider this: If you’ve had a child within the last decade, you might still be suffering some consequences—lethargy, memory disturbances, and poor energy levels, among other...
Distract and Redirect
Children under the age of three do not understand “no” in the way most parents think they do. (And a full understanding of “no” doesn’t occur magically when the child turns...
8 Simple Strategies to Keep the Sleep this Holiday Season
The holidays are my most favorite time of the year, but they also come with so much anxiety about changing sleep schedules due to of all the festivities we want to do. I have...
Encouragement: What does it mean and how is it done?
Rudolf Dreikurs taught, “A child needs encouragement like a plant needs water.” In other words, encouragement is essential. Children may not die without encouragement, but they...
Practicing Gratitude Through Chaos (aka Motherhood)
I find it sort of ironic that I’m sitting down to write this post after my husband was out of town for four days while I had to handle managing our teething daughter, an ant...