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While in the womb, the fetus relies on amniotic fluid to nourish and generate the Zang-Fu organs (viscera). During delivery, the infant holds a blood clot in its mouth; upon crying out, it swallows this clot. This toxin lies dormant in the Mingmen (Gate of Life, the root of primordial Qi located between the two kidneys). If exposed to adverse climatic factors, it often manifests as diseases such as convulsions (Jing Feng) and sores/rashes (Chuang Zhen). Before the infant cries, one should wrap a finger with cotton wool and quickly dig out the blood clot, then administer a decoction of Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), Fermented Soybean (Douchi), Cinnabar (Zhu Sha), honey, and Licorice Root (Ganzcao) to resolve the toxicity. This will result in milder symptoms when smallpox or chickenpox later erupts.

In cases of difficult labor or exposure to wind-cold nearing critical condition, do not immediately sever the umbilical cord. Quickly dry cotton wadding, hold the infant close to warm them. Place the placenta in fire, and use a paper torch to cauterize the areas above and below the umbilical cord repeatedly. This allows warmth to enter the abdomen, and the infant will likely revive spontaneously. Bathing is strictly prohibited at this stage to prevent the opening of pores (Cou Li) and the invasion of external pathogens.

Examine if there is a membrane under the tongue, resembling a pomegranate seed connected to the tongue base, which prevents crying and alters the voice. Quickly sever it with fingernails or cut it with a reed knife; slight bleeding indicates survival. If bleeding is excessive, burn hair into ash, mix with pig fat, and apply to the wound. There are tendons connecting the upper and lower lips to the gums. Tightness in the upper lip tendon causes "Upper Lian" (a type of oral lesion); tightness in the lower lip tendon causes "Lower Lian." Upper Lian presents with sores covering the head or lesions like tinea on the forehead, accompanied by persistent itching, yellow discharge, and ulceration. Lower Lian starts on the waist and back, spreading to the limbs, with similar symptoms. Without treatment, these may connect the head and face, persist for years, lead to premature death, or develop into severe illness. The best preventive measure is wiping the mouth every morning.

On the third day after birth, take tender branches of mulberry, locust tree, elm, peach, and willow, each three cun long, totaling 20-30 segments. Decoct them in water. Adjust the temperature to be suitable, add one pig gallbladder, and bathe the infant. Do not bathe for too long. Using pig gallbladder and Motherwort Herb (Yimucao) in the bathwater prevents scabies. Using Honeysuckle Flower (Jinyinhua), Tiger Head Bone (Hutou Gu), Moschus (Shexiang), and Cinnabar (Zhusha) repels evil qi, Ke Wu (external pathogenic shock), and convulsions. Using roots and leaves of peach, plum, apricot, and paper mulberry resolves body heat and epidemic fevers. These herbs must be boiled just before bathing. Records indicate that infants bathed in this manner have better outcomes. Auspicious days for bathing are Yin, Mao, and You; inauspicious days are Ren, Wu, Ding, Wei, Gui, and Si. Avoid bathing during the first three days and the last three days of the initial period. Bathing is suitable on the 3rd, 5th, and 7th days post-birth.

When bathing infants, do not sever the umbilical cord first, lest water and dampness invade the navel, causing Umbilical Wind (Qi Feng) or Umbilical Sores (Qi Chuang). Applying clear oil mixed with hair ash to the navel is beneficial. *Qianjin Fang* states: Do not cut the umbilical cord with a knife. Bite through it while wearing a single layer of clothing, breathe warm air onto it seven times, then tie off the remaining stump and secure it to the infant's instep. After severing, check for insects inside the cord and remove them urgently; otherwise, they may enter the navel and cause disease. The umbilical cord should be six cun long; if too long, it damages muscle; if too short, it damages internal organs. Failure to sever it promptly, incomplete drainage of umbilical fluids, and gradual loss of warmth can lead to cold accumulation and Umbilical Wind. *Tongren Shuxue Zhenjiu Tujing* discusses umbilical cord management. If using scissors, warm them in your bosom first. Water entering the navel often causes Tian Diao (a type of tetany/convulsion), characterized by painful crying and cyanosis/blackish complexion. Injury to the navel leading to non-healing wounds exposes the area to external wind, resulting in trismus (lockjaw) which is incurable. *Shenghui Fang* states: One night after birth, hold the infant near a bright, windless place. If red vessels are seen extending upward from the navel, moxa should be applied at the end of the vessel for three moxibustion cones; once the redness dissipates, no harm will occur. The navel must be wrapped with soft, cooked silk. If the infant cries angrily for more than ten days, it may be due to dry, stinging navel skin irritating the abdomen, or foreign objects in the clothing. Inspect carefully, changing clothes or wrapping as needed.

Cui Shi states: Infant clothing must be washed with clean water and kept free from dirt. Store in a new bottle, tightly covered, in a convenient place. After three days, bury it according to the auspicious day of the month, in a sunny location. Bury it three chi deep, compacting the soil firmly, to ensure the child's longevity. Negligence may lead to the infant being harmed by insects or animals, resulting in poor health or sudden death. It is auspicious to bury on Tian De (Heavenly Virtue) or Yue Kong (Moon Void) days. (For January, Tian De is in Xin, Yue Kong is in Bing Chen. See official almanacs for details.) If encountering Fan Zhi (Reverse Branch) days, hang the items outside the house on the Fu De (Fortune and Virtue) altar, in a sunny, high, and dry place. Wait until the month passes, then bury according to the method, which is auspicious. Infants born on Jia/Yi days should be buried on Bing/Ding days. Those born on Bing/Ding days on Wu/Ji days. Those born on Wu/Ji days on Geng/Xin days. Those born on Geng/Xin days on Ren/Gui days.

*Jiyan Fang* states: For an infant's first haircut, do not select a specific day; it is customary to do so on the full moon day (one month old). This is because the mother has not yet left her confinement room, and on the full moon day, she emerges with the child. It is believed that lanugo (fetal hair) is impure and may offend the Kitchen God, causing the infant distress. Hence, the haircut and emergence happen on this day. Haircutting must avoid wind and seek warmth. After cutting, take three almonds, remove skins and tips, and grind them. Add three mint leaves and grind again. Mix with 3-4 drops of raw sesame oil and Nifen (calamine/slipped stone powder). Rub this mixture on the head to prevent sores, scabies, and heat toxins.