Can lactating be an early pregnancy symptom?

[Tiredmum2025]

Hi, Im a mum of 2, and not breastfeeding for coming up 18 months but today felt like I might have had the smallest amount of lactation when my 3yr old cried (fell over). I shrugged it off but tonight I massaged a nipple and there is definitely something happening - from my calculations I've probably just finished ovulation.
I was wondering if anyone else had lactation as a first or early symptom, as previous pregnancies (4) it didn't set in until later. Thank you, trying to put my mind to rest before purchasing all of Boots pregnancy tests!

I think if you breastfeed for a long time then it just takes a long time to stop producing milk. I haven't breastfed my youngest in about a year and I still produce a tiny bit if I really go looking for it. It seems to randomly spike at times - a couple of months ago one boob was leaking and getting crusty. I got concerned about pregnancy as well but nothing.

I remember reading that if you've ever breastfed in your life it's possible to induce lactation again e.g. to wet nurse - and this is common in societies where breastfeeding is the cultural norm and/or people don't have ready access to electricity and clean water to prepare formula. So it might be this is just a totally normal thing but we don't see it because in the UK it's not a normal thing to consider relactation later on.

There is a pituitary condition called prolactinoma. The pituitary gland starts to produce too much prolactin the hormone that stimulates lactation. It can be triggered after childbirth so your body continues to produce milk even if you are no longer BF. A simple blood test can determine levels. If prolactin level is too high it will suppress ovulation.
If it continues see your GP.

Are you absolutely certain this is milk? Only checking to make sure you aren't missing any symptoms of something else.

It’s not a condition it a benign pituitary gland adenoma that overproduces the hormone that makes you lactate. My sister had one. She was treated with medication. If medication doesn’t work surgery is needed to remove the adenoma. If the adenoma gets too big it can press on the optic nerve. Men can also get them.

Im pretty sure its colostrum, it's just strange as its not happened at all since stopping feeding. If its not due to a pregnancy (6 days until I should know) I will definitely follow it up with a doctor. Thank you for your help and information