I too watched the PBS program on polio. The narrator claimed that "a new
emphasis on cleanliness" caused the children to fail to acquire natural
immunities from early exposure. Yet, they also said that polio was rampant
in very poor communities. At no time did they mention the simultaneous turn
away from breastfeeding that occurred at the same time, especially in the
more affluent communities.

We know that breastfeeding strongly affects nerve growth and mylenization,
and gut health. The polio virus is transmitted by the oral route. No
breastmilk = poorer nerve mylenization and a more permeable, weaker gut -
hence, the virus can take hold more easily and wreak its havoc unopposed.
Human milk has anti-polio components.

Incidentally, the program was sponsored by Wyeth.

I wonder if PBS will do Part II and mention the link with the rise of
artificial feeding????

Linda J. Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC
Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre
Dayton, OH USA
http://www.bflrc.com