《圣济经》慈幼篇·保卫鞠育章曰∶五行孕秀，有春夏秋冬异宜者，五形有殊相也。阴阳委和，有筋骨气血
不同者，五态有殊气也。夫始生而蒙冲和均，禀五行阴阳形态潜异。盖母气胎育，有盛衰虚实，其在子也，因
有刚柔勇怯之异。是以婴儿初举，污秽欲其荡涤，不足欲其辅翼，冲和欲其保全。如恶血未纳，拭以绵指，吞
而在胸膈者，吐以甘草。入而在腹中者，利以黄连、汞粉。皆所以革污秽也。啼声不发，呵脐以温之，甚者灸
以攻之，皆所以助不足也。卫颅囟之天，杜风池之邪，浴之以通血脉，哺之以助谷神，皆所以养冲和
也。三者保子之常法。然同为吐利，而吐利有轻重。同为灸 ，而灸 有多寡。或先吐利，必使污秽毕除。或
先灸 ，必使疾 不作。然后真气自育。彼其缓急先后之序，随时变通，不可泥于一曲也。前世之书，执小儿
气盛之论者，不知阳中有阴而专于吐利。执河北关中地寒之论者，不知南北之异而专于灸 。或以谓六岁为儿，
而婴孺之病无承据，不知荣卫血气有生皆全也。或以谓小儿脉候多端，与老壮有殊，不知脏腑呼吸有形皆同也。
通识之士，必察刚柔勇怯之所以异，视其污秽，无惮于吐利。视其虚弱，无惮于灸 。审乎五形，适以寒温之
宜。审乎五态，导以阴阳之平。病之轻重缓急，随证以治之，不必蔽于难治也。脉之长短迟速。因形以别之，
不必拘于至数也。明乎此，则慈幼之道其庶乎！
《巢氏病源》∶小儿始生，肌肤未成，不可暖衣，暖衣则令筋骨缓弱。宜时见风日，若都不见风日，则令肌
肤脆软，便易损伤。皆当以故絮着衣、莫用新绵也。天和暖无风之时，令母将抱日中嬉戏，数见风日则血凝气
刚，肌肉硬密，堪耐风寒，不致疾病。若常藏在帏帐之内，重衣温暖，譬如阴地之草木，不见风日，软脆不任
风寒。又当薄衣，薄衣之法，当从秋习之，不可以春夏卒减其衣，不则令中风寒。从秋习之，以渐稍寒，如此
则必耐寒，冬月但当着两薄襦一复裳耳。非不忍见其寒适当佳耳，爱而暖之适所以害也。又当消息无令汗
出，汗出则致虚损，便受风寒。昼夜寤寐，皆当慎之。其饮食哺乳不能无痰癖，常当节适乳哺。若微不进，切
当将护之。凡不能进乳哺，则宜下之，如此则终不致寒热也。又小儿始生，生气尚盛，无有虚劳，微恶则须下
之。所损不足言，及其愈病则致深益。若不时下则成大疾，疾成则难治矣。其冬月下之难将护，然有疾者不可
不下。夏月下之后，腹中常当小胀满，故当节哺乳将护之。数日间又哺，哺之当令多少有常剂。儿稍大，食哺
亦当稍增。若减少者，此是腹中已有小不调也，盒饭微将药，勿复哺之。但当乳之，甚者十许日，轻者五、六
日，自当如常。若都不肯食哺，而但饮乳者，此是有癖，为疾重，要当下之。不可不下，不下则致寒热，或吐
而发痫，或致下痢，此皆病重，不早下之所为也，则难治。先治其轻时，儿不耗损而病速除矣。小儿所以少病
痫者，其母怀娠时时劳役，运动骨血则气强，胎养盛故也。若侍御多，血气微，胎养弱，则儿软脆易伤，故多
病痫。儿皆须着帽，项衣取燥，菊花为枕枕之。儿母乳儿三时摸儿项风池，若壮热者，即须熨，使微汗。微
汗不瘥，便灸两风池及背第三椎、第五椎、第七椎、第九椎两边各二壮，与风池凡为十壮。一岁儿七壮，儿大
者以意节度，增壮数可至三十壮。惟风池特令多，十岁以上可百壮。小儿常须慎护风池。谚云∶戒养小儿，慎
护风池。风池在颈项筋两辕之边，有病乃治之。疾微，慎不欲妄针灸，亦不用辄吐下。（《圣惠》乃云∶立夏后
疾，慎不欲
妄针灸，亦不欲辄吐下。）所以然者，针灸伤经络，吐下动腑脏故也。但当以除热汤浴之，除热散粉之，除热赤膏摩之，
又以脐中膏涂之，令儿在凉处。勿禁水浆，常以新水洗。新生无疾，慎不可逆针灸。逆针灸则忍痛动经脉，
因喜成痫。河洛间土地多寒，儿喜病痉。其俗生儿三日，喜逆灸以防之，又灸颊以防噤。有噤者，舌下脉
急，牙车筋急。其土地寒，皆决舌下去血，灸颊以治噤。江东地温，无此疾。古方既传有逆针灸之法，
今人不详南北之殊，便按方用之，多害于小儿。是以田舍小儿，任自然皆得无此天。又云∶春夏决定不得
下，小儿所以尔者，小儿腑脏之气软弱，易虚易实。下则下焦必虚益，上焦则热，热则增痰，痰则成病，自非
当病不可不下也。（《千金翼》、《圣惠》及诸家方书皆以此为宗本，其议论略，有不同者皆见于后。）
《千金》论∶生儿宜用其父故衣裹之，生女宜以其母故衣，皆勿用新帛为善。（《圣惠》云∶新绫绢衣。）
不可令衣过浓。（《千金翼》又于浓字下有一热字。）令儿伤皮肤，害血脉，发杂疮而黄。儿衣绵帛特忌浓热，慎之慎之。
《圣惠》论∶凡小儿一期之内，造儿衣裳，皆须用故绵及故帛为之，不得以绵衣盖于头面。冬天可以HT 衣盖
头，夏日宜用单衣，皆不得着面，及乳母口鼻吹着儿囟。凡绵衣不得太浓及用新绵，令儿壮热，或即发痫，特
宜慎之也。
《圣惠》论∶凡儿匍匐以后。逢物即吃，奶母虽至细意，必亦不能尽觉。春夏必饮滞水冷物，至秋初便皆疾
作。初则多啼不食，或好伏地，面色青黄，或时腹痛，既不解说，惟反拗多啼。或逢水浆便吃，不可制止。或
睡中惊啼，或大便秘涩。常人惟知与红雪钩藤饮子，此二药终日在口，然自不见其效。况腹中滞结已多，冷热
冲击颇久，二药何能排去？所以得秋气风吹着背心脚心，便成疟痢。庸医与冷药则伤滑不禁，与涩药则气壅不
行。伤损脏腑，益令不食，遂使虚热冲上，面黄发焦，滞恶在内，手足如火，自然风水横溢，四肢便肿。如
此将养，十无一存。但每经春夏，不问有病无病，便须与四味饮子，多不三、四剂，即康强也。（葛氏《肘后》同，方
见温壮门。）
《婴孺》论∶凡儿所以风者，衣暖汗出，风因而入也。
张涣论∶婴儿生后两盈月，即目瞳子成，能笑识人。乳母不得令生人抱之，及不令见非常之物。百 任脉
生，能反复，乳母当存节喜怒，适其寒温。半 尻骨已成，乳母当教儿学坐。二百日外掌骨成，乳母当教儿地
上匍匐。三百日膑骨成，乳母当教儿独立。周 膝骨已成，乳母当教儿行步。上件并是定法，盖世之人不能如
法存节，往往抱儿过时，损伤筋骨，切宜慎之为吉。
张涣论∶婴儿冬月，但当着夹衣及衲衣之类，极寒即渐加以旧绵。人家多爱子，乃以绵衣过浓，适所以为害也。
张涣论∶婴儿须看禀受，南北之殊，用药盖地土寒温不同，此古人之最为慎也。
《婴童宝鉴》论∶孩子春勿覆顶裹足，致阳气亡出，故多发热。衣物夜露，多生天 。三岁之中，勿太饱，
勿太肌，卧须覆肚，食须饮水浆。若能如此者，则子少患而无夭伤矣。
《万全方》论∶田舍妇人产育，皆不知小儿初生将护之法，所养有绝无他疾者。譬之凡草凡木生于深山大泽
之中，容易合抱。至于奇材异果，纵加倍壅，间有不秀实者，此岂贵贱之理有异哉？盖天之于物，出于自然。
古人亦云∶小儿始生，肌肉未成，不可暖衣，即令筋骨缓弱。宜见风日，若都不见风日，即令肌肤脆软，便易
伤损。皆以絮着衣，内勿用新绵。天气和暖无风之时，令乳母抱儿日中嬉戏，数见风日，即血凝气刚，肌肉硬
密，堪耐风寒。以田舍小儿较之，此说尤长。
《颅囟经》治小儿初生日与平和饮子
人参 茯苓 甘草（炙） 升麻（以上各一分）
上以水一白盏，煎至一合半。已来时时与之，乳母忌油腻。盈月及百 已来加之。临时冷，加白术，热加
硝，各半钱。
《海药》按∶《仙传》小儿方
上烧降真香，或引鹤降，蘸星辰烧此香，甚为第一度 烧之，功力极验。小儿带之能辟邪恶之气也。
《别说》小儿方
上柳絮贴灸疮良、飞入浴水，于阴暗处为浮萍，尝以器盛水置絮其中，数日覆之。即或又多积，可以捍作
毡，以代羊毛，极柔软，宜与小儿卧益佳，以性凉也。
《本草》小儿方
上白油麻与乳母食，其孩子永不病生。若久热，可作饮汁服之。停久者，发霍乱客食，抽人肌肉。
《秘要指迷》∶婴儿初生三日，乃令母服顺气药及煎人参汤方。
上用人参、甘草煎汤与母服，随奶乳下与婴儿饮，先洗尽胎肠恶物。如母服药乃须温暖，味不可冷热相反，
则令儿有病生。又凡婴儿初生，尝以句气汤散服一匕，日外但服无虑。
《千金》灸法∶凡新生儿七日以上，周年以还，灸不过七壮，炷如雀屎大。
《圣济经》慈幼篇·保卫鞠育章说：五行孕育精华，因春夏秋冬四季不同而有适宜的差异，这是五形（五种体质形态）具有不同外貌特征的原因。阴阳调和，因筋骨气血的不同而有差异，这是五态（五种精神状态）具有不同气质的原因。婴儿初生时蒙受冲和之气，禀赋的五行阴阳形态潜藏差异。大概因为母体在胎育过程中有盛衰虚实的不同，所以在子女身上，便有了刚柔勇怯的差异。因此，婴儿刚出生，污秽之物需要荡涤清除，正气不足需要辅助扶持，冲和之气需要保全保护。如果恶血未排出，用棉签擦拭手指清理；若吞入并在胸膈部位，用甘草催吐；若进入腹中，用黄连、汞粉通便泻下。这些都是为了革除污秽。如果啼哭声音不响亮，呵气温暖脐部以温之，严重的施灸以攻邪，这些都是为了帮助正气不足。护卫颅囟的天灵盖，杜绝风池穴的邪气入侵，洗浴以疏通血脉，哺喂以助长谷神（脾胃消化功能），这些都是为了养护冲和之气。这三点是保养婴儿的常规方法。然而同样是呕吐腹泻，但轻重程度不同；同样是艾灸，但壮数有多寡之分。或者先进行吐利治疗，必须使污秽彻底清除；或者先进行艾灸，必须使疾病不再发作。然后真气自然养育。那些缓急先后的顺序，随时间变化而变通，不可拘泥于某一偏颇之法。前世的书籍，执着于小儿“气盛”理论的人，不知道阳中有阴而专用于吐利；执着于河北关中地区寒冷理论的人，不知道南北差异而专用于艾灸。有的人认为六岁才称为儿，而婴孺阶段的疾病没有依据，不知道营卫血气在出生时都是完整的；有的人认为小儿脉象多端，与成人不同，不知道脏腑呼吸的形体结构都是一样的。通达事理的人，必定考察刚柔勇怯之所以不同的原因，观察其污秽，不畏惧使用吐利法；观察其虚弱，不畏惧使用艾灸法。审察五形的特点，适应寒温的适宜；审察五态的特点，引导以阴阳的平衡。疾病的轻重缓急，随证候进行治疗，不必被“难治”所蒙蔽。脉象的长短迟速，因形体不同而辨别，不必拘泥于至数（脉搏次数）。明白这些道理，那么慈爱抚育幼儿的方法就差不多完备了！
《巢氏病源》说：婴儿刚出生，肌肤尚未长成，不可穿暖衣，穿暖衣会使筋骨松弛软弱。应当时常接触风和日光，如果完全不见风日，会使肌肤脆软，容易受损。都应当用旧棉絮做衣服，不要用新绵。天气温和无风的时候，让母亲抱着孩子在阳光下嬉戏，多次见到风日则血液凝练、气机刚强，肌肉坚硬致密，能够耐受风寒，不会导致疾病。如果常藏在帷帐之内，穿着厚衣保暖，就像阴地里的草木，不见风日，软脆不能胜任风寒。又应当穿薄衣，穿薄衣的方法，应当从秋天开始练习，不可以春夏突然减少衣物，否则会导致中风寒。从秋天开始练习，逐渐稍微受寒，这样就能耐寒，冬天只需穿两件薄夹袄和一条双层裙子罢了。并不是不忍心看孩子受冻恰好是好事，过分爱护而使其过暖恰恰是害处。又应当斟酌调节不让出汗，出汗则导致虚损，便容易受风寒。白天黑夜醒睡，都应当谨慎。其饮食哺乳难免产生痰癖，应当节制适量哺乳。如果稍微不进乳食，切当小心护理。凡是不能进乳食的，应当用下法，这样最终不会导致寒热病。又婴儿刚出生，生气尚且旺盛，没有虚劳，轻微不适就必须用下法。所损伤的不值得说，等到治愈疾病则有深远的益处。如果不及时用下法就会变成大病，病成则难治了。冬季用下法难以护理，但有病的不可不用下法。夏季用下法后，腹中常会小胀满，所以应当节制哺乳来护理。几天后又哺喂，哺喂应当让多少有固定剂量。孩子稍大，食物哺喂也应当稍增加。如果减少，这是腹中已有小不调，应当微服药物，不要再哺喂。只喂奶即可，严重的十天左右，轻者五、六天，自然恢复如常。如果都不肯吃辅食，只喝奶，这是有癖积，为病重，一定要用下法。不可不下，不下则导致寒热，或呕吐并发癫痫，或导致下痢，这都是病重，不早用下法所造成的，则难治。先在病情轻时治疗，孩子不耗损而病速除。小儿之所以少患癫痫，是因为母亲怀孕时常劳作，运动骨血则气强，胎养充足的原因。如果房事过多，血气微弱，胎养弱，则孩子软脆易伤，所以多病癫痫。孩子都必须戴帽子，项衣取干燥，用菊花做枕头枕着。孩子母亲喂奶时三时抚摸孩子项部的风池穴，如果壮热，就必须熨烫，使微汗。微汗不愈，便灸两风池及背第三椎、第五椎、第七椎、第九椎两边各二壮，加上风池共十壮。一岁婴儿七壮，孩子大的酌情增减，壮数可增加至三十壮。只有风池特别允许多灸，十岁以上可百壮。小儿常须慎护风池。谚语说：戒养小儿，慎护风池。风池在颈项筋两辕的旁边，有病才治疗它。病轻微，谨慎不要妄自针灸，也不要用辄吐下。（《圣惠方》却说：立夏后的病，谨慎不要妄自针灸，也不要动辄吐下。）之所以这样，是因为针灸伤经络，吐下动腑脏的缘故。只应当用除热汤浴之，敷除热散粉，用除热赤膏按摩，又以脐中膏涂之，让孩子在凉处。不禁水浆，常以新水洗。新生无病，谨慎不可逆针灸。逆针灸则忍痛动经脉，因而喜成癫痫。河洛间土地多寒，孩子喜病痉。当地习俗生儿三日，喜欢逆灸以防之，又灸颊以防噤口。有噤口的，舌下脉急，牙车筋急。其土地寒，都决舌下去血，灸颊以治噤。江东地温，无此疾。古方既然传有逆针灸之法，今人不详南北之殊，便按方用之，多害于小儿。所以田舍小儿，任其自然皆得无此夭折。又说：春夏决定不得下，小儿之所以如此，是因为小儿腑脏之气软弱，易虚易实。下则下焦必虚益，上焦则热，热则增痰，痰则成病，自非当病不可不下也。（《千金翼》、《圣惠》及诸家方书皆以此为宗本，其议论略，有不同者皆见于后。）
《千金方》论：生儿宜用其父故衣裹之，生女宜以其母故衣，皆勿用新帛为善。（《圣惠方》云：新绫绢衣。）不可令衣过浓。（《千金翼》又在“浓”字下有一“热”字。）令儿伤皮肤，害血脉，发杂疮而黄。儿衣绵帛特忌浓热，慎之慎之。
《圣惠方》论：凡小儿一期之内，造儿衣裳，皆须用故绵及故帛为之，不得以绵衣盖于头面。冬天可以夹衣盖头，夏日宜用单衣，皆不得着面，及乳母口鼻吹着儿囟。凡绵衣不得太浓及用新绵，令儿壮热，或即发痫，特宜慎之也。
《圣惠方》论：凡儿匍匐以后。逢物即吃，奶母虽至细意，必亦不能尽觉。春夏必饮滞水冷物，至秋初便皆疾作。初则多啼不食，或好伏地，面色青黄，或时腹痛，既不解说，惟反拗多啼。或逢水浆便吃，不可制止。或睡中惊啼，或大便秘涩。常人惟知与红雪钩藤饮子，此二药终日在口，然自不见其效。况腹中滞结已多，冷热冲击颇久，二药何能排去？所以得秋气风吹着背心脚心，便成疟痢。庸医与冷药则伤滑不禁，与涩药则气壅不行。伤损脏腑，益令不食，遂使虚热冲上，面黄发焦，滞恶在内，手足如火，自然风水横溢，四肢便肿。如此将养，十无一存。但每经春夏，不问有病无病，便须与四味饮子，多不三、四剂，即康强也。（葛氏《肘后备急方》同，方见温壮门。）
《婴孺书》论：凡儿所以风者，衣暖汗出，风因而入也。
张涣论：婴儿生后两盈月，即目瞳子成，能笑识人。乳母不得令生人抱之，及不令见非常之物。百日任脉生，能反复，乳母当存节喜怒，适其寒温。半岁尻骨已成，乳母当教儿学坐。二百日外掌骨成，乳母当教儿地上匍匐。三百日膑骨成，乳母当教儿独立。周岁膝骨已成，乳母当教儿行步。上件并是定法，盖世之人不能如法存节，往往抱儿过时，损伤筋骨，切宜慎之为吉。
张涣论：婴儿冬月，但当着夹衣及衲衣之类，极寒即渐加以旧绵。人家多爱子，乃以绵衣过浓，适所以为害也。
张涣论：婴儿须看禀受，南北之殊，用药盖地土寒温不同，此古人之最为慎也。
《婴童宝鉴》论：孩子春勿覆顶裹足，致阳气亡出，故多发热。衣物夜露，多生天癗。三岁之中，勿太饱，勿太肌，卧须覆肚，食须饮水浆。若能如此者，则子少患而无夭伤矣。
《万全方》论：田舍妇人产育，皆不知小儿初生将护之法，所养有绝无他疾者。譬之凡草凡木生于深山大泽之中，容易合抱。至于奇材异果，纵加倍壅，间有不秀实者，此岂贵贱之理有异哉？盖天之于物，出于自然。古人亦云：小儿始生，肌肉未成，不可暖衣，即令筋骨缓弱。宜见风日，若都不见风日，即令肌肤脆软，便易伤损。皆以絮着衣，内勿用新绵。天气和暖无风之时，令乳母抱儿日中嬉戏，数见风日，即血凝气刚，肌肉硬密，堪耐风寒。以田舍小儿较之，此说尤长。
《颅囟经》治小儿初生日与平和饮子
人参 茯苓 甘草（炙） 升麻（以上各一分）
上以水一白盏，煎至一合半。已来时时与之，乳母忌油腻。盈月及百日已来加之。临时冷，加白术，热加硝，各半钱。
《海药本草》按：《仙传方》小儿方
上烧降真香，或引鹤降，蘸星辰烧此香，甚为第一度烧之，功力极验。小儿带之能辟邪恶之气也。
《别说方》小儿方
上柳絮贴灸疮良、飞入浴水，于阴暗处为浮萍，尝以器盛水置絮其中，数日覆之。即或又多积，可以捍作毡，以代羊毛，极柔软，宜与小儿卧益佳，以性凉也。
《本草拾遗》小儿方
上白油麻与乳母食，其孩子永不病生。若久热，可作饮汁服之。停久者，发霍乱客食，抽人肌肉。
《秘要指迷》：婴儿初生三日，乃令母服顺气药及煎人参汤方。
上用人参、甘草煎汤与母服，随奶乳下与婴儿饮，先洗尽胎肠恶物。如母服药乃须温暖，味不可冷热相反，则令儿有病生。又凡婴儿初生，尝以句气汤散服一匕，日外但服无虑。
The "Wei Bao Ju Yu" (Protecting and Nurturing) chapter of the "Ci You" (Compassion for Children) section in *Shengji Jing* states: The Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) nurture their essence, with appropriate variations across Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter; this is because the Five Forms (five physical constitutions) have distinct appearances. Yin and Yang harmonize, with differences in tendons, bones, Qi, and Blood; this is because the Five States (five mental/spiritual dispositions) have distinct Qi. When first born, infants are enveloped in Harmonious Qi (Chonghe), inheriting latent differences in the forms of the Five Elements and Yin-Yang. Generally, due to the fluctuations of fullness, emptiness, excess, and deficiency in the mother's Qi during gestation, the offspring exhibit differences in rigidity/flexibility and courage/timidity. Therefore, when an infant is first lifted, filth should be cleansed away, insufficiency should be supported, and Harmonious Qi should be preserved. If evil blood has not been expelled, wipe it with a cotton-tipped finger; if swallowed and lodged in the chest and diaphragm, induce vomiting with Gancao (Licorice Root); if it enters the abdomen, promote purgation with Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome) and Hongfen (Calomel). All these measures aim to eliminate filth. If crying sounds are weak, warm the navel by blowing air on it; in severe cases, apply moxibustion to attack the pathogen; all these aim to assist insufficiency. Protect the fontanelle (anterior fontanelle of the skull), block pathogens at Fengchi (GB20, Wind Pool), bathe to unblock blood vessels, and nurse to aid Gu Shen (Grain Spirit, referring to Spleen/Stomach digestive function); all these aim to nourish Harmonious Qi. These three are the standard methods for preserving infants. However, although both involve vomiting and purging, there are degrees of severity; although both involve moxibustion, there are variations in the number of moxa cones. If vomiting and purging are performed first, filth must be completely removed; if moxibustion is performed first, the disease must be prevented from recurring. Then, True Qi (Zhen Qi) naturally nurtures itself. The sequence of urgency and priority varies with time and circumstances and should not be rigidly adhered to. Previous texts that adhere strictly to the theory that "infants have abundant Qi" fail to understand that Yang contains Yin and rely solely on vomiting and purging. Those who adhere strictly to the theory that "Hebei and Guanzhong regions are cold" fail to recognize north-south differences and rely solely on moxibustion. Some claim that only children aged six are considered "er" (children), implying diseases in infancy lack basis, failing to understand that Ying-Wei (Defensive and Nutritive) Qi and Blood are complete at birth. Others claim infant pulse patterns are diverse and differ from adults, failing to understand that the physical structures of Zang-Fu organs and respiration are identical. Knowledgeable individuals must investigate the reasons for differences in rigidity/flexibility and courage/timability, observe filth without fearing vomiting/purging, observe weakness without fearing moxibustion. Examine the Five Forms to adapt to appropriate warmth/cold; examine the Five States to guide towards Yin-Yang balance. Treat diseases according to their severity and urgency based on syndrome differentiation, without being hindered by the notion of "incurability." Differentiate pulse length and speed based on physical form, without being constrained by specific counts. Understanding this, the way of nurturing children is nearly complete!
*Chao Shi Bing Yuan* (Source of Diseases) states: When infants are first born, their skin and flesh are not yet formed; they should not be clothed warmly, as warmth causes tendons and bones to become loose and weak. They should be exposed to wind and sunlight regularly. If never exposed, skin and flesh become brittle and soft, prone to injury. Clothes should be made of old cotton wadding, not new cotton. On mild, windless days, mothers should hold infants to play in the sun. Frequent exposure to wind and sunlight consolidates blood, strengthens Qi, makes muscles firm and dense, enabling tolerance of wind-cold, preventing disease. If kept hidden in curtains, wrapped in heavy warm clothes, like plants in shade, they become soft and brittle, unable to withstand wind-cold. Clothing should be thin. To achieve this, practice thin clothing starting in autumn; do not suddenly reduce clothing in spring/summer, or wind-cold will invade. Practice gradually becoming colder in autumn to build cold tolerance. In winter, wearing two thin padded jackets and one double-layered skirt is sufficient. It is not that we do not mind them feeling cold; excessive warmth out of affection is actually harmful. Regulate so they do not sweat; sweating leads to deficiency and susceptibility to wind-cold. Be cautious day and night regarding wakefulness and sleep. Diet and nursing may cause phlegm accumulation; regulate nursing appropriately. If intake is slightly reduced, care carefully. For those unable to take milk, use purgatives to prevent febrile diseases. Infants initially have vigorous Sheng Qi (Vital Qi) and no deficiency-fatigue; slight discomfort requires purging. The minor damage is negligible compared to the deep benefit of curing disease. Failure to purge promptly leads to serious illness, which becomes hard to treat. Purging in winter is difficult to manage, but necessary if sick. After summer purging, abdominal bloating may occur; regulate nursing accordingly. Resume feeding after a few days with fixed amounts. As the child grows, increase food intake. Decreased intake indicates internal imbalance; administer mild medicine and stop feeding temporarily. Continue nursing; severe cases take ten days, mild cases five to six days to recover. If refusing solid food and taking only milk, it indicates phlegm accumulation (Pi Ji), a severe condition requiring purging. Failure to purge leads to fever/chills, vomiting with epilepsy, or dysentery. These severe conditions are hard to treat if purging is delayed. Treating early prevents depletion and ensures rapid recovery. Infants rarely suffer epilepsy because maternal labor during pregnancy moves bone and blood, strengthening Qi and ensuring robust fetal nourishment. Excessive sexual activity depletes Qi/Blood, weakening fetal nourishment, making the infant fragile and prone to disease/epilepsy. Infants must wear hats; neck clothes should be dry; use chrysanthemum pillows. Mothers should massage Fengchi (GB20) on the neck while nursing. If high fever occurs, apply heat compresses to induce slight sweating. If sweating does not resolve it, moxa the bilateral Fengchi (GB20) and bilateral points at the 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th thoracic vertebrae, two cones each, totaling ten cones. For one-year-olds, seven cones; adjust for older children up to thirty cones. Fengchi allows more moxa; over ten years old, up to one hundred cones. Always protect Fengchi. Proverb: "Guarding children requires protecting Fengchi." Fengchi is beside the neck tendons; treat only when diseased. For mild disease, avoid reckless acupuncture/moxibustion or vomiting/purgation. (*Shenghui Fang* notes: After Start of Summer, avoid reckless acupuncture/moxibustion or vomiting/purgation.) This is because acupuncture damages meridians, and vomiting/purgation disturbs Zang-Fu. Use heat-clearing baths, powders, red ointment massage, and navel paste; keep the child in cool places. Do not restrict water/fluids; wash with fresh water. For healthy newborns, avoid reverse moxibustion (preemptive moxa). Reverse moxa causes pain and meridian disturbance, potentially leading to epilepsy. In Heluo regions, cold land predisposes infants to spasms. Local custom involves preemptive moxa on day three to prevent spasms and cheek moxa to prevent trismus (lockjaw). Trismus involves tight sublingual pulses and masseter tendons. Cold regions use bloodletting under the tongue and cheek moxa. Jiangdong regions are warm and lack this disease. Ancient texts transmit reverse moxa methods; modern people ignore north-south differences and apply them blindly, harming infants. Country children, left to nature, avoid such premature death. Also: Do not purge in Spring/Summer. Infant Zang-Fu Qi is weak, easily vacuous or excess. Purging empties Lower Jiao and heats Upper Jiao, generating phlegm and disease. Purge only when absolutely indicated. (*Qianjin Yi*, *Shenghui*, and others base arguments on this.)
*Qianjin Fang* discusses: Wrap newborn boys in father's old clothes, girls in mother's old clothes; do not use new silk. (*Shenghui Fang* says: New dyed silk/gauze.) Do not let clothing be too thick. (*Qianjin Yi* adds "hot" after "thick"). Thick clothing damages skin, harms blood vessels, causes miscellaneous sores and jaundice. Cotton/silk clothing must avoid thickness and heat; be very cautious.
*Shenghui Fang* discusses: Within the first year, make clothes from old cotton and fabric; do not cover head/face with cotton. In winter, use padded jackets for the head; in summer, single layers. Do not cover the face or let the wet nurse blow breath onto the infant's fontanelle. Cotton clothing must not be too thick or new, causing high fever or epilepsy; be extremely cautious.
*Shenghui Fang* discusses: After infants crawl, they eat everything. Even careful nurses cannot detect all hazards. In Spring/Summer, they drink stagnant cold water/foods, causing illness in early Autumn. Initially, they cry excessively, refuse food, lie prone, have green-yellow complexion, intermittent abdominal pain, twist bodies, and cry loudly. They may drink water uncontrollably, startle in sleep, or have constipation. People usually give Hongxue Gouteng Yinzi (Red Snow Uncaria Decoction), but these medicines taken daily show no effect. With long-standing stagnation and cold-heat conflict, how can these two medicines clear it? Exposure to Autumn wind on the back and soles leads to malaria/dysentery. Quack doctors giving cold medicines cause slippery diarrhea; astringents cause Qi stagnation. Damaging Zang-Fu leads to anorexia, rising deficiency heat, yellow scorched complexion, internal stagnation, hot hands/feet, edema, and swelling. Such nurturing results in less than 10% survival. Every Spring/Summer, regardless of health, give Siwei Yinzi (Four-Ingredient Decoction); within 3-4 doses, they recover strongly. (*Ge Shi Zhou Hou Bei Ji Fang* agrees; formula in Wen Zhuang section.)
*Ying Ru* discusses: Infants catch wind because warm clothing causes sweating, allowing wind to enter.
Zhang Huan discusses: At two months, pupils form, smiling/recognition begins. Nurses must not allow strangers to hold them or expose them to unusual objects. At 100 days, Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) develops, allowing rolling; nurses should regulate emotions and temperature. At 6 months, sacrum forms; teach sitting. At 200 days, palm bones form; teach crawling. At 300 days, patella forms; teach standing. At 1 year, knee bones form; teach walking. These are fixed rules. Worldly people often fail to regulate holding times, damaging tendons/bones; caution is auspicious.
Zhang Huan discusses: In winter, infants wear padded/quilted clothes; add old cotton only in extreme cold. Families love children too much, using overly thick cotton, which is harmful.
Zhang Huan discusses: Infants' constitution varies by North/South; medication depends on local climate differences. Ancients were most cautious about this.
*Tong Ying Bao Jian* discusses: In Spring, do not cover head/feet tightly, preventing Yang Qi escape and causing fever. Do not leave clothes out overnight (dew causes Tian Lei/convulsions). Under age three, avoid overeating or excessive fatness. Cover belly when sleeping; drink fluids with meals. Doing so reduces illness and premature death.
*Wan Quan Fang* discusses: Rural women often lack knowledge of newborn care, yet some raise healthy children. Like wild grass/trees in mountains/swamps growing strong, rare fruits/trees may fail despite care. Is this due to value differences? Nature acts naturally. Ancients said: Newborns have unformed flesh; warm clothes weaken tendons/bones. Expose to wind/sunlight; otherwise, skin becomes brittle. Use old cotton, not new. On mild days, mothers play with infants in sun; frequent exposure consolidates blood/strengthens Qi/firms muscles against wind-cold. Compared to rural children, this view is superior.
*Cul Xin Jing* treats newborns with Pinghe Yinzi (Harmonizing Decoction):
Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Fuling (Poria), Zhigancao (Roasted Licorice Root), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) (each 1 fen).
Boil in 1 Bai Zhan (approx. 200ml) water until 1 He Ban (approx. 50ml) remains. Give frequently. Wet nurse avoids greasy food. Add after 1 month/100 days. If cold symptoms, add Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma); if heat, add Xiaoshuang (Natrii Sulfas), each 0.5 Qian.
*Haiyao Bencao* notes: *Xianzhuan Fang* pediatric formula.
Burn Jiangzhen Xiang (Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum) or "Inviting Crane Descent" incense. Burning this incense once is highly effective. Carrying it wards off evil Qi.
*Bieshuo Fang* pediatric formula.
Willow catkins are good for moxa sores. Floating duckweed forms from catkins in dark water containers over days. Accumulated catkins can be felted into wool substitutes; very soft, good for infants due to cooling nature.
*Bencao* pediatric formula.
Give white sesame to wet nurses; children will never get sick. For prolonged fever, drink juice. Stale seeds cause cholera-like symptoms and muscle wasting.
*Miyao Zhimi*: On day 3, let mother take Shunqi medicines and Ren Shen Tang (Ginseng Decoction).
Decoct Renshen (Ginseng Radix) and Gancao (Licorice Root) for mother to drink with milk, washing fetal waste from infant. Mother's medicine must be warm; flavors must not conflict hot/cold, or infant gets sick. Also, give Gouqi Tang San (Dogwood Qi Decoction Powder) to infant; safe for daily use.
*Qianjin Fang* Moxibustion: For newborns >7 days to 1 year, max 7 cones, size of sparrow droppings.