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On the second day after birth, examine the infant's mouth. If white blisters are found, use a silver ear pick to gently scrape them open, remove the white rice-like substance inside the blister, and ensure it does not fall into the throat. Then apply high-quality gold ink (traditional Chinese ink containing gold powder) to the area. If not treated on the second day, the blisters will harden and become difficult to scrape, and the infant may be unable to nurse, which would cause serious delays. Another condition called "Ma Ya" (Horse Teeth/Epstein Pearls) occurs at the gum line; these also need to be punctured and removed, followed by application of ink.

When the infant reaches three days old, according to custom, a "Third-Day Bath" is performed. However, if the weather is hot in summer, bathing may be acceptable; if done in winter cold, there is a risk of wind-cold invading the umbilicus and abdomen, potentially leading to Umbilical Wind (Neonatal Tetanus). Alternatively, only washing the head and face is permissible. Folklore suggests that failing to perform the Third-Day Bath results in coarse skin and scaling as the child grows. I have frequently observed individuals who did not undergo this ritual and remained free from such skin issues even into old age. Not only can the Third-Day Bath be omitted, but bathing should also be avoided immediately after birth to preserve and consolidate the True Yuan (Original Qi). People in the North do not bathe; they simply wipe clean with old cotton cloth, or use water to lightly cleanse areas of urination and defecation. Consequently, people from the North are generally sturdier than those from the South, which is due not merely to climatic factors. If bathing an infant is necessary, it must be done in a draft-free enclosure, and prolonged immersion should be avoided. If the Third-Day Bath is insisted upon, it should be given three to four days after birth in summer, or ten-plus days after birth in winter. One method involves decocting four pig gallbladders in seven or eight bowls of water until reduced to four or five bowls. After adjusting the temperature to lukewarm, bathe the infant; this practice ensures lifelong immunity from sores and scabies.

For boys, use the father's worn clothes; for girls, use the mother's worn clothes. Do not use new cotton wadding, nor should the clothing be too thick, to avoid damaging the skin, causing sores, or inducing epilepsy (infantile convulsions). In severe winter cold, rely on the adult's body warmth for insulation. During the first three to five months of life, infants should be swaddled and kept lying flat. Avoid holding them upright or carrying them out, to prevent Infantile Convulsions (Jing Xian).

The first haircut (shaving the lanugo/peach fuzz) should be done on a sunny and warm day. If there is wind or rain, postpone it. After shaving, take three apricot kernels (Xing Ren), remove the skin and tips, crush them, add three mint leaves (Bo He), and grind them together. Mix with raw sesame oil (Sheng Ma You) and light powder (Qing Fen, basic mercury chloride) to form a paste. Apply this to the scalp to ward off wind-pathogens and prevent heat-toxin boils and furuncles. The folk custom of shaving at one month of age need not be rigidly adhered to.

Before the infant has their first haircut, do not carry them near temples or shrines dedicated to deities like Siming (Lord of Life), as impurity may offend the sacred and disturb the infant's spirit. Wrap the shaved hair in red paper and store it in a dry, stable place within a chest or cabinet. When shaving the infant's hair, it is crucial to use well-tempered water—neither cold nor hot—and to shield the infant from wind and cold.