La presse locale

Vendredi dernier se tenait l’événement le plus important à Rauma : la nuit de la dentelle noire. Ça ressemble un peu à la fête de la musique chez nous : du monde partout, des concerts et de la bière. Et devinez qui s’affichait tout sourire en une de la presse locale le lendemain ? Iris, notre bébé d’à peine un mois !

Non, elle n’était pas en train de pogoter avec les autres Français la veille au soir, elle était juste « le bébé de la semaine » du Lansi Suomi, un canard local. Chaque samedi, un nouveau-né a le droit à son article. Normalement, c’est une ou deux colonnes avec une petite photo, m’explique la journaliste. Mais là, comme Iris est française et très sympa et belle et intelligente (ok, ça c’est moi qui le dis, pas la journaliste), on a eu le droit à une pleine page + photo en couv’. Non mais pourriez-vous imaginer ça en France ? Mettre en avant un bébé d’immigrés ? Je crois qu’ils ont un sérieux problème de natalité dans ce pays. La journaliste est donc venue chez nous pour interviewer le bébé pendant 2 heures. Evidemment, une fois qu’on a dit qu’elle dormait bien, mangeait bien et remplissait bien ses couches, il n’y a plus grand chose à raconter sur un bébé de quelques semaines, alors la journaliste s’est aussi intéressée à ce qui a pu mener ses parents jusqu’à Rauma.

Pour les curieux, voici la traduction de l'article en anglais :

From the pulse of Paris to the Pori maternity hall

Arthur and Noémie le Forestier moved from Paris to Rauma in April. Two months later, their second daughter was born at the Satasairaala in Pori.

The French family's home entrance hall is quiet. Around the corner, a 2,5-year-old Ysée-girl peeks into the hallway. When she is being greeted, she flashes a sweet smile.

- The baby is awake at the moment, mother Noémie le Forestier says as we move into the living room to meet Noémie's parents, who have come to visit Finland.

The little baby looks happy lying on his grandfather's lap. Big sister watches closely what is going to happen next.

- Ysée is very happy and excited that the baby is finally here. She wants to help with everything and is not jealous at all. It's really cute, Noémie says with a smile.

Three years of maternity leave

At the time of the interview, Arthur-father is still at work. In his home country, Arthur was a sailor who was at work one month at a time, then a month off. During Noemie's second pregnancy, the couple felt that such a rhythm was not good for their family.

When Arthur was offered a job in Olkiluoto, the couple decided that their second child would be born in Finland. Arthur moved to Rauma in March, and Noémie and Ysée moved in a month later.

- We like Rauma a lot, because this is a safe and peaceful city. There is nature close by and this is a great place for children to grow up, Noémie describes.

In Paris, she works as an admission manager at a university.

- The intention would be to live in Rauma for 2-3 years. I can be on maternity leave for three years, after which I must either resign or go back to work.

Christening in France

Grandparents are going out and they take Ysée with them. The baby has fallen asleep and is resting in his mother's arms.

- Our daughter is healthy, calm and really cute. She weighed 3,570 grams at birth and was 52 centimeters tall. As soon as I saw her for the first time, my heart melted, Noémie reminisces while gently fondling her little one.

In France it is customary to name a baby right after birth. Noémie and Arthur have named their daughter Iris Helmi.

- We wanted her to have a Finnish name because she was born in Finland. In the hospital, she was called a baby and nobody even asked us what her name is, because it's not customary in Finland, Noémie says amused.

Iris' christening is celebrated in France, where the ceremony is always held in the church. After baptism, dinner is served usually at the parents' home.

- One godmother and one godfather are chosen for the child. Often they are family members so that the godparents are always involved in the child's life. I think we'll have Iris’ christening next year when we go on a holiday to France.

Leisure time is dedicated to the family

When Father Arthur arrives home from work, he immediately says that he likes the Finnish system in terms of working hours. Work starts early, but then you also get home early.

- France has unfair working hours for families. Even if you go to work at nine in the morning, you won't get home until 7-8 in the evening. Here, after a working day, I have time to go shopping or even the beach.

Arthur adds that in Finland he doesn´t receive work messages in his spare time, because that time is dedicated to the family. He says that he is really happy that he now has two daughters with whom he spends time.

- Iris falls asleep on her father's stomach every night, Noémie says.

Five stars to the hospital

Noemie's second pregnancy went smoothly and Iris was born in Pori on June 25th. The only thing that caused a bit of stress was giving birth in a foreign hospital. Especially the relatively long distance caused excitement for the mother.

- Satasairaala was like a five-star hotel. There was everything in the room, including maternity and baby clothes, diapers, pacifiers and other supplies. In France you must either buy the goods from the hospital or bring your own goods with you. In Finland, you can go to a hospital with only a hairbrush and a toothbrush with you, Noémie compares.

Helpful, English-speaking staff are also praised by the parents. They say that the hospitals in Paris are so busy that they may have to wait up to an hour for their turn.

- There are toys for the children and they also take care of the dads. I was pleasantly surprised at that, Arthur declares.

Most surprising, however, is that the baby is being given to the parents immediately after delivery.

- In Paris, they immediately put on a pajama and a hat for the baby. In Finland, you are advised to hold your baby against your own skin and to sleep next to it. It was a wonderful experience, Arthur and Noémie say.

A safe start to life

Arthur also proudly mentions how Ysée is happy to nurture her little sister.

- Sometimes she needs to becalmed down a bit. Of course, time and attention must be given to both, and in the familiar style we go to the parks and play with our older child.

- I want to be with my girls every day and here in Finland it is possible.

Thus, the baby's day-to-day life has begun nicely within the Le Forestier family. The little Iris Helmi deserves an honorable mention.

- She's a peaceful baby. Maybe because she was born safely here in Finland, Arthur le Forestier ponders with a happy smile.