Interview with Lyly from @lylyetlouis

I had the honor of talking with Lyly, a mother of three children but also a former talented photographer and videographer. I wanted to talk with her about her pregnancies, her family but also her possible advice for all future mothers. Here is our exchange.

What is your best pregnancy memory?

After going through three pregnancies, there were so many each time: finding out I was pregnant, hearing my baby's heartbeat for the very first time, then feeling the first little kicks or discovering the baby's profile during ultrasounds.

Lots of little things that make you smile as soon as you take the time to savor them during pregnancy!

How did you choose your children’s names? What were your inspirations?

With my darling, we absolutely wanted "simple" but timeless first names and we also wanted to give each of them a second name. No race for originality for us, the most important thing was that we liked the first names, and that they sounded good with the last name!

When I was young, I really liked the name Sasha and dreamed of naming my first child that way but some friends had a son they named Sacha so we dropped it. Then one day, while we were on our way to film a wedding in the South, I suggested the names "Louis James" to him, and we both liked it (James is his middle name).

For our second son, Lucas, we didn't agree at all until the last month of my pregnancy. I had made him a short list and Lucas was the first choice; he liked the names suggested, but each time, he found something to say because he already knew one but especially because his favorite name was... Harry!

In the end, my man gave in a few weeks before the birth and he doesn't regret it for a single second (Lucas' middle name is Martin)!

For the youngest, it was quite simple. As a teenager, I dreamed of calling my daughter Ella, and when I suggested this name to her, my darling in turn suggested Ellie. Since I really liked both of them, I let him choose (Jeanne is her middle name, in reference to Saint Joan of Arc)!

Having made the choice to breastfeed your children, what advice would you give to a mother who wants to do the same?

The advice I give each time is to be really motivated, comfortable with the idea of ​​breastfeeding and to find out as much as possible so as not to be destabilized by the possible problems that one may encounter during breastfeeding.

For example, you can contact an IBCLC consultant (specialist in breastfeeding and human lactation) in order to feel surrounded, supported and helped by a professional. You can also find out for yourself, by doing research on the Internet for example. For my part, each of my breastfeeding sessions had complicated and painful beginnings because of my children's restrictive brakes.

For Louis, I knew nothing about it and it was by informing myself by doing research during breastfeeding that I managed to learn, understand and overcome these problems. This is how, after a few months, I was able to experience more serene breastfeeding and, above all, less painful.

For Lucas and Ellie, despite my previous experience, I couldn't escape the cracks, but thanks to everything I had already learned, I managed to resolve these problems much more quickly! I was also no longer afraid to make myself heard and I knew what advice not to follow (in particular the famous "note the time and duration of the feeds/ one feed every 3 hours/ 5 minutes on one breast, then 5 minutes on the other").

I think that when you know what you want and you are well informed (and supported if necessary), you will no longer pay attention to the bad advice or comments you may receive when you choose to breastfeed your child.

What advice can you give to women who are apprehensive about pregnancy and childbirth?

I would say again that being informed is essential but we must also keep in mind that each woman is different, each pregnancy and each birth are also different.

Even if there will always be an element of the unknown, we can prepare ourselves by getting informed: for example, on the most physiological positions for giving birth in order to limit tears as much as possible, or the benefits of not immediately cutting the umbilical cord and the benefits of skin-to-skin contact. Lots of information that can guide future parents to build their birth plan if they want to.

I also find that talking to future or young mothers is something that helps a lot. And when you don't necessarily have mothers around you, social networks can be a real goldmine! We discuss, we exchange and share our experiences but also our discoveries: a precious support when we need it.

And finally: dare to ask for and accept help! It is not a sign of weakness as some might try to make you believe. And it is advice to follow even after giving birth, if not even more!

What were your criteria for choosing your maternity clothes?

The most important criterion for me was comfort, but still favoring soft and natural materials.

During my last pregnancy and with two energetic toddlers at home, it was essential to have clothes that I felt comfortable in. I loved showing off my round belly (while hiding my thighs, haha) and I had a crazy obsession with midi dresses, in ribbed knits and fitted, but still stretchy for comfort!

I also liked finding pretty pieces that could be worn both during pregnancy and after giving birth. And if these clothes made it easy to breastfeed your baby, that was even better! And my little finger tells me that several Neuvième Ciel creations meet all these criteria