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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.