Working Life: This is a safe space for new mothers to talk
Karen Prunty, Neonatal Nurse Specialist, Crumlin Childrens' Hospital and founder of Little Roo.
I work two days a week in Crumlin as a paediatric nurse in neo-nates and the remainder of the week at my Little Roo studios.
My experience working with newborns prompted me to set up Little Roo. Working in neonates, often the babies can’t be picked up and cuddled as much as parents would like due to their condition.
When they are well enough to be picked up, parents are encouraged to practice Kangaroo Care, which is skin-on-skin contact, shown to promote bonding and emotional and psychological development. My studio name comes from that care concept.
I was pregnant with my fourth child, Robyn, when I decided to set up Little Roo. I wanted to create a space where mums could gather and talk about whatever was bothering them.
They say it takes a village to raise a child, and I wanted to create that village of support and connection.
I started by renting a space in a community centre. While my professional background was useful, I soon saw the need for experts in areas like pelvic floor health, lactation, and post-natal depression.
I now have a studio in Blackrock village and a second studio in a community centre in Sandyford, Dublin. They’re set up for comfort and relaxation. Every mum who comes in is asked how she is doing.
We sit around and chat and once everyone has settled, I do a baby massage class. Once a month, an expert comes to talk about issues raised by mums.
A popular topic is matrescence — the developmental transition to motherhood. Some mums say they miss the spontaneity of their old life. Others say motherhood has taught them what love means.
At Little Roo, they can be honest, it’s a safe space, run by experts. We let them know it’s normal to be overwhelmed, confused, anxious. We have two clinical psychologists providing solid advice.
After classes, I head home to my kids — Robyn, three, Cillian, six, Ethan, nine, Lauren, 15. I have a stepson too, Aaron, 20. I often do admin work in the evenings.
Right now, I’m preparing for a Little Roo event called Welcome to the World, scheduled for March 8 in the Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan, Dublin (see www.littleroo.ie).
It’s an in-person event with lots of experts on the day to help support mums during pregnancy, birth and beyond.
