Lactating again due to separation?!?!

[AlwaysStandingOnLego]

I have never posted on here before, so please forgive the no doubt dull writing style, but the topic of my thread is a bit of a shocker!! It actually makes me a bit queasy to even think about it, let alone write about it but I'll take a deep breath and give it a go as I'm desperate to know if anyone can tell me what's going on.
My 3 and a half year old started nursery last week. I haven't been back to work since his birth so we're basically apart for the first time. I'm a bit of a firm believer in breastfeeding and fed him til he was nearly 2. He still has a fair attachment to my boobs when he's tired or unhappy and goes in for a bit of a grope (which I gently deflect!) and has been doing this a bit more than usual due to generally feeling anxious about nursery and needing a bit of extra comfort I imagine.
Ok here comes the odd / revolting part: I noticed a few days ago that I seem to be making breast milk again!!!! My boobs had been feeling slightly odd so I gave them a bit of a check for lumps, then a squeeze and couldn't believe it when something came out! Of course I'm worried that it's something sinister and have made an appointment with the dr, but the earliest I can see anyone is a couple of weeks. It's happening in both breasts too, so I'm hoping that doesn't indicate a cyst or infection as surely that's more likely to just affect one?!
Part of me can't help thinking it might be due to separation from my little one? I'm a bit of a clingy, super maternal type and have been pretty devastated about sending him off to nursery but obviously I know the time is right for him to go. I didn't notice anything like this when my older son went, although I was actually breastfeeding the younger one at the time so I suppose I wouldn't have.
My little one also has a nervous tic, which has gone into overdrive since he's started nursery so it's been heartbreaking for me to watch. I'm obviously pretty emotional at the moment but could that trigger lactation again?!?!?

[AlwaysStandingOnLego]

Thanks for the thought but I'm pretty certain my supply dried up quite soon after I stopped feeding, so about a year and a half ago. It's definitely a sudden new development, which is why I'm so disturbed!!!

[OneWaySystemBlues]

Is there any chance you could be pregnant...? Also, it's unlikely to be something nasty if it's in both problems. Producing milk can be a pituitary gland thing so you're doing the right thing by going to the gp, but I'd just check and see if you're pregnant first.

[tabbycat15]

I had breast milk in one side when DD was 18 mths. I didn't breast feed. I had an inteaductal papilloma & had it removed. As it's both breasts it could be a hormone imbalance of prolactin. See your Dr & they can do blood tests to check the levels.

[knackeredoutmum]

No, you would have thought it would have dried up as it would no longer drip out, but I dont think it would have occurred to you to try and squeeze a drop out which is why you thought it had all gone. I think if you squeezed a month ago you would have got a drop too. But I am not at all surprised that you would get a few extra drops now as your maternal instincts are in overdrive.
I could certainly squeeze a tiny drop of fluid 12 months after stopping.

[sannaville]

A friend of mine started lactating again and she had something wrong with her pituitary gland she was fine after treatment. Not saying that's what this is but can be a common cause as that land affects hormones. However since our ds still has a firm attachment to our boobs it may be their was still making a small amount but I'm sure they would've leaked a bit and you would've noticed. Worth getting doc to check it out

[AlwaysStandingOnLego]

Thank you ladies for your advice. I'll wait to see what the GP says and try not to think about it too much in the meantime!

[gotthearse]

I still have milk - ds had just turned 4 and was bf until he was about 16 months. It never drips, nor do I get full boobs like when bf. If I squeeze in a similar way to hand expressing then small drops appear on my nipple. I dont consider it gross its just there and doesnt bother me. A friend had a boob scan recently and they could see milk in her ducts too. Just a hangover of natures way of holding on in case of famine I think, though I dont think there is enough in there to feed a baby