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The sages of ancient times had methods for prenatal education. In antiquity, when women were pregnant, they did not sleep on their sides, did not sit on the edges of seats, and stood upright (bì: standing properly). They did not eat improper flavors; if meat was not cut square, they did not eat it; if the mat was not laid straight, they did not sit. Their eyes did not look at evil colors, and their ears did not listen to licentious sounds. At night, blind men were made to recite poetry, narrating righteous matters. By doing so, the child born would have a dignified appearance and surpass others in talent. Thus, Tai Ren gave birth to King Wen of Zhou, who was wise, sage, and profound, understanding one thing to know a hundred; all this was due to the efficacy of prenatal education. Sages are often born through spiritual influence; therefore, during pregnancy, one should avoid seeing those involved in funerals or wearing mourning clothes, those with physical deformities, disabilities, or poverty. One should instead see virtuous people, joyful events, and beautiful things. To desire wisdom for the child, observe carp and peacocks; to desire beauty, observe pearls and jade; to desire strength, observe flying eagles and running dogs. If such good and evil influences can affect the fetus, how much more so if dietary taboos are ignored?

Taboos during pregnancy: Eating rabbit meat may cause the child to be mute and have a cleft lip. Eating goat meat may cause the child to suffer from frequent illnesses. Eating eggs and dried fish may cause the child to develop many sores. Eating mulberries and ducklings may cause breech presentation. Eating sparrow meat and drinking alcohol may cause the child’s heart to become lustful and emotions chaotic, disregarding shame. Eating chicken meat and glutinous rice may cause the child to grow tapeworms (cunbai chong). Eating sparrow meat and bean paste may cause dark spots on the child’s face. Eating turtle meat may cause the child to have a short neck. Eating donkey meat may prolong the gestation period. Drinking iced beverages may lead to sterility or difficult labor. Eating mule meat may cause dystocia.

When selecting a wet nurse, one must choose from among the female servants, seeking someone who is young and vigorous, free from disease, kind-hearted, generous in nature, gentle, elegant, and taciturn. The infant relies on milk for nourishment, just as adults rely on food. Good and bad habits are imitated; how much more so if the milk does not align with the mother’s constitution? Whether the child is sick or healthy depends on the wet nurse’s caution regarding her diet. If she ignores dietary taboos and acts imprudently, indulging in tastes that harm her health, causing illness that affects the child, it is the mother who causes the child’s sickness.

Miscellaneous taboos for wet nurses: Do not breastfeed during hot summer weather, as this makes the child overly yang-prone and prone to vomiting and regurgitation. Do not breastfeed during cold winter weather, as this makes the child overly yin-prone and prone to coughing and dysentery. The mother should not be angry, as anger causes qi to rebel; breastfeeding under these conditions may cause the child to suffer from epilepsy or mania. The mother should not be drunk, as drunkenness disperses yang energy; breastfeeding while intoxicated may cause the child to have fever and abdominal fullness. If the mother vomits, her middle jiao becomes deficient; breastfeeding then may cause the child to become emaciated and weak. If the mother has accumulated heat (indicated by redness and yellowness), breastfeeding may cause the child to turn yellow and lose appetite. Sexual activity shortly after marriage causes exhaustion; breastfeeding then may cause the child to be thin, itchy, and unable to walk without crossing legs. The mother should not breastfeed when too full, too hungry, too cold, or too hot. If the child suffers from diarrhea, dysentery, abdominal pain, or night crying, the wet nurse should avoid cold-natured foods that trigger disease. If the child has accumulated heat, convulsions, or sores, the wet nurse should avoid damp-heat and wind-stirring foods. If the child has scabies, tinea, or skin infections, the wet nurse should avoid fish, shrimp, chicken, horse meat, and other "fa-wu" (hair-raising/triggering) foods. If the child has accumulations, malnutrition (gan syndrome), or wasting diseases, the wet nurse should avoid raw eggplants, cucumbers, etc.

For newborn infants, before they cry, soak Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian) in water, mix with a small amount of Cinnabar (Zhusha), and gently apply inside the mouth to clear fetal heat and pathogenic qi, reducing the incidence of rashes and sores. For newborns, decoct Schizonepetae Herba (Jingjie) and Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian) in water, add a little wild boar gallbladder bile, and use to bathe the infant. Even if rashes or severe sores appear later, they will ultimately be sparse. For infants before the onset of rashes, boil rabbit heads and bones (with fur) collected in the twelfth lunar month in water, and use the decoction to bathe the infant. This removes heat and toxicity, preventing rashes and various sores; if they do appear, they will be sparse. For infants before the onset of rashes, feed them milk from black female donkeys. As they grow, they will not suffer from rashes or various toxins. If they do occur, they will be sparse. This also treats pediatric heart heat and wind-induced epilepsy.