Sansum pediatrician is coalition's choice : Daniel Brennan named by breast-feeding group as doctor of the year

August 12, 2009 7:11 AM

Santa Barbara County Breast-feeding Coalition's inaugural Doctor of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Daniel R. Brennan Tuesday at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

A pediatrician at the Sansum Clinic, Dr. Brennan has been working with Cottage Hospital for eight years. He acquired his pediatric training at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. It was at Cedars-Sinai that he met a mentor who was a pediatrician as well as a Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC), which inspired Dr. Brennan to pursue the same path. Dr. Brennan, after his pediatric training, enrolled in a 40 hour course to become a CLC. "The reason I wanted to do this is to help out the moms and help them to be successful in breast-feeding," Dr. Brennan told the News-Press after the award ceremony. Dr. Brennan added "this is slowly becoming more prevalent, but this supplements my own practice and its a big topic with the moms."

There are so many benefits to breast-feeding, mostly for the baby but for the mothers as well. According to the Lactation Center at Cottage Hospital, research shows that breast-fed babies will be sick 50% less often than formula fed babies. Breast-feeding reduces SIDS, diabetes, obesity, and certain childhood cancers as well as having keener eyesight, higher IQ's, better teeth alignment, fewer ear infections, and fewer digestive upsets.

Dr. Brennan told the News-Press that it is also beneficial for the mothers. "Breast-feeding decreases the risk in getting certain types of cancer, including breast and ovarian cancer, and of course a closer bond between mother and baby." According to the The Lactation Center (TLC) at Cottage Hospital, women who breast-feed have less osteoporosis and can lose pregnancy weight more quickly.

While receiving the award Dr. Brennan said, "I grew up here (Santa Barbara) and wanted to come back. The Santa Barbara County Breast-feeding Coalition and Meg Beard helped me with my practice- there's the TLC where families can go and that really helps." The Santa Barbara county breast-feeding coalition awarded Dr. Brennan with a plaque "for providing excellent breast-feeding support to families and the community. Your commitment to breast-feeding is recognized and appreciated. We support and honor you during breast-feeding awareness month."

The lactation center and the Santa Barbara county breast-feeding coalition support mothers and encourage them to breast-feed their babies for at least a year after birth. They provide consultations, house visits, and even supplies including breast pumps and other necessary products for breast-feeding. With credit to these two groups the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital has a 98% start up for breast-feeding with patients compared to a national rating of 75%.