《圣济经》慈幼篇·乳哺襁褓章曰∶人之初生,胃气未固,肤革未成,乳饮易伤,风邪易入。乳哺欲其有节,
襁褓欲其有宜,则达其饥饱,察其强弱,适其 薄,循其寒燠者,盖有道矣。是以论乳者,夏不欲热,热则致
呕逆。冬不欲寒,寒则致咳痢。母不欲怒,怒则令上气癫狂。母不欲醉,醉则令身热腹满。母方吐下而乳,则
致虚羸。母有积热而乳,则变黄不能食。新房而乳,则瘦悴交胫不能行。论襁褓者,衣欲旧帛,绵欲故絮,非
惟恶于新燠也,亦资父母之余气,以致养焉。重衣温浓,帏帐周密,则减损之。苟为不然,伤皮肤,害血脉,
疮疡发黄,是生多疾,皆不可不察也。然论乳者,又有用哺之法,盖哺所以赖谷气也。始生三日用饮,过三日
用哺,哺之多少,量日以为则,如是则五脏得所养而胃气壮矣。论襁褓者,又有去寒就温之法,方大和无风之
时,携持保抱嬉戏日中,如是则血凝气刚,骨骼成就。观夫阴地草木,以其不历风日,故盛夏柔脆,未秋摇
落而鲜克有立,况于人乎!圣人论∶食饮有节,起居有常。矧婴儿者,其肉脆,其血少,其气弱,乳哺襁褓,
庸可忽诸。
《颅囟经》∶师巫烧钱,乳母须预祝之。勿令着水喷儿,皆令惊热入心,转成患害,切细慎之。
《葛氏肘后》∶小儿新生十岁,衣被不可露,慎之慎之。大方具说其事,畏鸟获,鸟取儿。
《圣惠》论∶乳母忌食诸豆及酱、热面、韭、蒜、萝卜等。可与宿煮羊肉、鹿肉、野鸡,雁、鸭、鲫鱼、葱、
薤、蔓菁、莴苣、菠 、青麦、 达、冬瓜等食。若儿患疳,即不得食羊肉及鱼,又不得油腻手 裹及抱儿,
又不得以火灸襁褓,热时便与儿者,令孩子染热病,始终须慎。大底冬中切宜戒之。若天大寒,以火灸衣被,
且抛向地上良久,热 之冷热得所,即与孩子 之无妨。如乳母有夫,不能谨卓者,切须防备。傥新有过犯,
气息未定,便即乳儿者,必能杀儿。未盈月内,所驱使人,亦不得令有所犯到于儿前,恶气触儿,儿若得疾,
必难救疗也。
According to the "Chapter on Feeding and Swaddling in the Infant Care Section" of *Shengji Jing* (Holy Relief Classic): When a human is first born, the Wei Qi (Stomach Qi, referring to the digestive function of the Spleen and Stomach) is not yet solid, and the skin and flesh are not yet formed. Milk and drinks can easily cause injury, and Wind Pathogens (external Wind pathogens) can easily enter. Breastfeeding should be regulated with moderation, and swaddling should be appropriate. In this way, one can discern hunger and satiety, observe strength and weakness, adjust the richness or blandness of food, and adapt to the cold and warmth of the climate; there is indeed a method to this. Therefore, regarding breastfeeding: in summer, milk should not be too hot, as heat will lead to vomiting and rebellious Qi; in winter, milk should not be too cold, as cold will lead to coughing and dysentery. The mother should not be angry, for anger causes the child to suffer from ascending Qi and mania/epilepsy-like states; the mother should not be drunk, for drunkenness causes the child's body to become hot and the abdomen to distend. If the mother breastfeeds immediately after experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, it leads to emaciation and weakness in the child; if the mother has accumulated Heat in her body while breastfeeding, it causes the child to turn yellow and lose appetite; if she breastfeeds shortly after sexual intercourse, it results in the child becoming thin, frail, and unable to walk due to crossed legs.
Regarding swaddling: clothes should be made of old silk, and cotton batting should be old wadding. This is not only because new materials are prone to causing excessive heat, but also to utilize the residual Qi and Blood of the parents to nourish the infant. If clothing is too heavy and warm, or curtains are too dense, these measures should be reduced. Otherwise, it damages the skin and harms the blood vessels, leading to sores, jaundice, and various diseases, all of which must be carefully examined. However, regarding breastfeeding, there is also a method of introducing complementary foods, as these rely on Gu Qi (the refined essence of grains). For the first three days after birth, water is given; after three days, complementary foods are introduced. The quantity of food should be measured according to the number of days passed. In this way, the Five Zang Organs receive nourishment, and the Wei Qi becomes strong. Regarding swaddling, there is also a method of avoiding cold and seeking warmth. During times when the weather is peaceful and windless, carrying and holding the infant to play in the sun helps the blood to coagulate properly and the Qi to become robust, allowing the skeletal structure to develop. Consider plants and trees in shady places; because they have not experienced wind and sunlight, they remain soft and brittle even in midsummer, and often fall and wither before autumn arrives, rarely standing tall. How much more so for humans! The Sages stated: "Diet and drink should be moderate, and daily routines should be regular." Moreover, infants have fragile flesh, little blood, and weak Qi. Can breastfeeding and swaddling be neglected?
*Culuo Jing* (Classic of the Cranial Fontanelle) states: When the midwife burns coins for divination, the wet nurse must pray in advance. Do not let water touch or spray onto the baby, as this will cause Startled Heat to enter the Heart, turning into harm. One must be extremely cautious.
*Ge Shi Zhou Hou* (Ge Hong's Emergency Handbook) states: For newborns within their first ten days, clothing and bedding should not be exposed. Be very careful. Detailed explanations are found in larger medical texts, fearing the "Niao Huo" (a mythical evil bird), which steals children.
*Shenghui Fang* (Prescriptions of Holy Grace) discusses: Wet nurses should avoid eating various beans, sauces, hot-natured wheat noodles, leeks, garlic, radishes, etc. They may consume leftover boiled mutton, venison, wild pheasant, goose, duck, crucian carp, green onions, shallots, turnip greens, lettuce, spinach, young wheat, barley, winter melon, etc. If the infant suffers from Gan disease (infantile malnutrition syndrome), they must not eat mutton or fish. Furthermore, oily hands must not touch or hold the child, nor should fire be used to warm the swaddling clothes immediately before giving them to the child, as this may infect the child with Heat diseases. Caution is always required. Generally, these taboos are especially important in winter. If the weather is extremely cold, and clothes or bedding are warmed by fire, they should be thrown on the ground for a long time until the temperature is neither too hot nor too cold, before being given to the child; this is harmless. If the wet nurse has a husband and cannot maintain chastity, precautions must be taken. If she has recently committed an offense (sexual transgression) and her breath/Qi has not settled, and she immediately breastfeeds the child, it will surely kill the infant. Within the first month, servants and attendants must not commit offenses in the presence of the child. If malignant Qi touches the child, and the child falls ill, it will be difficult to save.