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I was in a place of defeat when I contacted Akiko. I had been trying to work with Doctors and Pediatricians to identify and solve an issue that arose for my daughter including multiple explosive poos per day, excessive urination, poor sleep and general “colic”. All symptoms that doctors suggested a food intolerance such as CMPI (cows milk protein intolerance). So I set about removing offending items from my diet. This began with removal of Dairy and Soy. After 6 weeks with no improvement and further research I removed Wheat, corn, eggs, gluten, coconut, nuts from my diet with no real consistent improvements despite no slip ups. It was so difficult.

Before seeing Akiko I had engaged with a Lactation consultant through the public health system who suggested that our issue may have arisen from a breast milk over supply and over active letdown which creates a problem known as “Lactose Overload”. True oversupply is rare, doctors, nurses and even lactation consultants either do not acknowledge it as an issue at all or are extremely dubious. However my case seemed to fit the literature. Unfortunately, the public consultant could only provide me with some brief general instruction and a few printouts before sending me on my way.

Background- in her first 3 months of life my baby was gaining over 300g per week until she started presenting with explosive liquid, green poop then graduated to mucous and blood in her stool. At this point her weight gain slowed as her stomach was being stopped by the excess sugars/lactose. This was still occurring despite removal of dairy and soy at 8 weeks. I was also battling engorgement daily at 4 months and had had to take drastic measures to manage blocked ducts on many occasions.

Before meeting with Akiko I had trialed block feeding as suggested by the public health LC but I was extremely nervous of ruining my supply or doing it wrong that none of my efforts alone yielded consistent results. However where removing food proteins from my diet had not helped at all, days in which I wasn’t battling engorgement seemed to give consistent improvements in my babies digestion, output and disposition. I was starting to become concerned that my breastfeeding journey would come to an end much sooner than I had hoped.

I contacted Akiko when my daughter was around 5 months and after a very in depth consultation I finally felt heard and supported. She was able to diagnose a lip and tongue tie and provide active support with positioning, attachment and exercises to help us overcome this as a barrier. This support also meant that we did not have to seek laser revision which would have been very traumatic for a baby of that age. She also assisted me in developing a block feeding regime to suit my continued over supply. She checked in with me to ensure that we did not create a negative reduction in supply. Our appointments were always comprehensive. She took into account all factors giving me manageable and realistic strategies to help control the oversupply, improve my daughter’s latch, improve my daughter’s sleep. Within a few days we saw results. And thanks to Akiko’s follow up I have been able to manage the ongoing issues created by the oversupply, ties and continue our breastfeeding journey.

Thanks to Akiko my daughter and I were able to celebrate 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding, in which time my daughter never took a single bottle.

We overcame oversupply, breast refusal, attachment and positioning issues despite ties, sleep disturbance, colic and multiple cases of blocked ducts. Akiko was able to provide prompt assistance in applying her breast massage techniques to prevent me from getting mastitis as a result of a badly blocked duct.

I was dubious and nervous on the breast massage initially and thought it might be confronting or invasive. But Akiko is a true professional and makes you feel completely at ease. The benefits of this service are incredible for both oversupply and especially under-supply. I highly recommend this to those who require it.

My daughter and I are about to celebrate 8 months and hoping to continue through until self weaning whenever that day comes. In the meantime I will continue to see Akiko on a regular schedule and take advantage of the incredible benefits afforded by the breast massage. For me these benefits mean being able to monitor my supply, identify narrow ducts, and practical working strategies to reduce the risk of ongoing blocked ducts, create even supply as one breast out performs the other (increase one breast while reducing the other- Amazing skills!) ongoing support to manage the over supply which continues to present as an issue as my daughter’s intake decreases.

With gratitude I highly recommend Akiko’s service. She is comprehensive, person centred, empathic and very professional and is not a revolving door practitioner, your needs will be heard and met. My only regret is that I had not contacted her sooner!

I honestly can not thank you enough Akiko, you saved our breastfeeding journey 💚🙏

~Amber