无病,关滑为宿食,意乳母致之,乳母必嗜酒,酒后辄乳,故令女醉,非风也。
询之如其言,饮以枳 子、葛花,遂如常。(《古今医案》)
俗云∶要得小儿安,常带三分饥与寒。此说甚伪。要知小儿脏腑脆薄,饥饱寒暑皆不能耐,全赖调
养得宜。若带三分饥寒,恐带饥则多啼哭,带寒则多感冒,诚不宜也。盖要得小儿安,须
常调饥与寒。大约调养之法,只要先饥与食,不可过饱;先寒与衣,不可太暖。非独小儿为然,凡虚弱衰
老病后之人,俱当如此调养。(《传家宝》)
凡乳母与儿睡时,切勿以手膀与儿枕头,恐胸膊热气,紧蒸小儿头脑,致生痈毒疮疖,此一弊也。
况又儿头与母面相对,乳母鼻息出入,吹儿囟门,日后长大时,易感风寒,动辄鼻流清涕,药不能治。
惟用新绿豆作枕,与儿枕之,最清凉,去胎毒热毒。(石天基)
幼时酷嗜甘饴,忽一日见饴中有蚯蚓,伸头而出,自此不敢
食饴,至长始知长上为之,此可为节戒之妙法。(王隐君)
小儿脾胃柔弱,其母或以口物饲之,不能克化,必致成疾。
小儿于天气和暖,宜抱出日中嬉戏,频见风日,则血肉因之紧固,可耐风寒,不致生痰。(《按摩经》)
小儿宜用菊花作枕,则清头目。(《按摩经》)
小儿不宜食肉太早,致伤脾胃。鸡肉能生蛔虫,成疳积证,非三岁以上勿食。(《按摩经》)
小儿入夏,宜缝囊盛杏仁七枚,去皮尖,随身佩之,闻雷声不惧。(《按摩经》)
小儿勿令入神庙,恐精神闪灼,致生怖畏。(《按摩经》)
小儿临浴时,须择无风密处,汤须不冷不热,适可而止,不可久在水中。冬月防其受寒,夏月恐其
伤热。但儿在周岁内,切忌频浴,以致湿热郁聚。(《医宗金鉴》)
凡儿切忌食肉,鸡肉尤忌,过食则生蛔虫。螺蛳蚪蚬鳗鳖虾蟹等类食之,则或泄或痢。(《保婴易知录》)
小儿同母睡时,切忌鼻风口气,吹儿囟门,恐成风疾。(《琐碎录》)
小儿衣裳被衲,日晒日收,不宜在外过夜,因天上有飞星恶鸟,不可干犯,小儿染着戾气,生无辜疳
,或则啼哭不止。须用醋炭熏过,或日光照过方可衣。(钱仲阳)
初生小儿,不得用油腻手绷裹。春忌覆顶裹足,夏忌饮冷食冰,冬忌火炙衣被。(《小儿精要》)
凡小儿于戏谑之物,不令恣乐。刀刃凶具,无使摸捉。莫近猿猴,近则伤意。莫抱鸦雀,抱恐伤眼。
男方学语,勿令挥霍。会坐勿久,致令腰折。行莫令早,筋骨柔弱。雷鸣击鼓,莫为掩耳。睡卧须节,须令早起
。饮食休过饱,衣勿重袭。常食蔬羹,休哺美味。甘肥酸冷,姜蒜瓜菜,油腻生茄,切勿过食。夜莫停
灯,昼莫说鬼。睡莫当风,坐莫近水。笑极与和,哭极与喜,笑
哭之后,莫即与乳。(《冯氏锦囊》)
卧儿冬用水桶,夏用竹筐,必须直身向明而卧。倘背明向暗,则儿眠仰看亮光,易致目睛上窜。卧旁
切近之处,不可有悦目引看之物,致儿侧视,目睛左窜右窜。儿帽面前亦不可用五彩
之饰,亦恐惹儿仰视也。(《察儿录》)
衣儿用父故衣,女用母故衣改作,切不可过浓,恐令儿壮热,生疮发痫,皆自此始。(《千金论》)
初生小儿,未剃胎头,不与戴帽,则自幼至长,可以无伤风之患,亦永无鼻塞流涕之病。(《大生要旨》)
凡养儿寒则加衣,热则除棉,过寒则气滞而血凝,过热则汗出而腠理泄,以致风邪易入,疾病乃生
,更忌解脱当风。然无风日暖,又当抱出游戏,又不可置之地间,令着地受寒。况五脏 穴,皆系于背,肺
脏尤娇,风寒一感,毫毛毕直,皮肤闭而为病,咳嗽喘呕,肚热憎寒,故儿背宜暖也。肚者脾胃处也,胃为
水谷之海,脾为健运之司,冷则物不腐化,致多肠鸣腹痛呕吐泄泻,故儿肚宜暖也。足系阳明胃脉所络,故曰
寒从下起,故儿足宜温也。头者六阳所会也,脑为髓海,凉则坚凝,热则流泄,或囟颅肿起,头缝开解,目
疾头疮,故头宜凉也。心属离火,若外有客热,则内动心火,表里合热,轻则口干舌燥,腮红面赤,重
则啼叫惊掣,多躁烦渴,故心胸宜凉也。(《冯氏锦囊》)
儿生六十日后,则瞳子成而能笑认人,切忌生人怀抱,及见非常物类。百日则任脉成,自能反复,一百八
十日,则尻骨成,母当令儿学坐。二百四十日,则掌骨成,母当扶教匍匐。三百日则膑骨成,母当扶教儿立。
周岁之后,则膝骨成,母当扶教儿行,皆育儿一定之法。若日捧怀抱,不见风日,不着地气,以致
筋骨缓弱,数岁不行,一失调护,疾病乃生,此皆保育太过之失。(张涣)
小儿玩弄嬉戏,常在目前之物,不可强夺去之,使其生怒,
但勿令弄刀刃,衔铜钱,近水火,入庙堂,见鬼神耳。(《育婴家秘》)
凡乳母抱儿,切勿哭泣泪入儿眼,令儿眼枯。(《冯氏锦囊》)
小儿能言,必教之以正言,如鄙俚之言勿语也。能食,则教之恭敬,如亵慢之习勿作也。能坐能行,则
扶持之,勿使倾跌也。宗族乡党之人,则教以亲疏尊卑长幼之分,勿使 也。言语问答,教以诚实,勿使欺
妄也。宾客往来,教以拜揖迎送,勿使退避也。衣服器用,五谷六畜之类,遇物则教之,使其知之
也。或教以数目,或教以方隅,或教以岁月时日之类,如此则不但无疾,而知识亦早矣。(《育婴家秘》)
儿初生形骸虽具,筋骨甚柔,犹草木之柔条软梗,可曲可直,或俯或仰也。故百日之内不可竖抱,
竖抱则宜于惹惊,且必致头倾项软,有天柱倒侧之虞。半岁前不可独坐,独坐则风邪入
背,脊骨受伤,有龟背伛偻之疾。(《大生要旨》)
小儿始生,肌肤未实,宜单衣不宜暖衣,暖则筋骨缓弱,易发疮疡。宜旧絮不宜新棉,恐汗出表虚,
易受寒邪。宜见地气,尤宜见风日,不见地气风日,则肌肤柔软,易得损伤。尝见富贵之家,重茵叠被,
日在怀抱,虽数岁亦未能行。而田舍小儿,终日暴露,或饥或寒,绝无他病。譬如草木生于深山大泽中,
容易合抱,至园圃奇材异卉,纵加培植,多有秀而不实者,岂贵贱之理有异哉!(《巢氏病源》)
婴儿初生,血气未定,脏腑未备,每三十一日一变蒸,或发热,或恶寒,或吐泻,或汗,皆长血脉增智
慧之候。其指纹淡红水色如常,既无乱纹,亦无青紫赤黑之色,是为变蒸。每一变蒸,或生一脏,或生一腑,
至十变蒸而脏腑始完,胎毒始散,周岁内须知此候。然胎亢充实者不如是。(周于蕃)
每见士大夫之家,于婴儿多雇乳娘,其痛痒不甚相关,但于其哭时,恐父母闻之,或勉强与之乳食,
或暗中与以油糖饼饵粘腻生冷之物,希图不出啼哭之声,殊不知婴病每在伤食。谚云∶
要得小儿安,须带三分饥和寒。但所谓饥者,勿令过饱;寒者,勿令过暖,非令忍饥受寒之谓也。(周于蕃)
小儿有实痰壅筑喉内,吐不出,咽不入,于气海穴以手指曲节抵之,旋又放之,再将儿中指掐至尖数下,
再推涌泉穴,左转不揉,以指对抵夹车穴,用耳挖爬舌上即吐。(夏禹铸)
丹溪曰∶小儿过用棉绢温暖之服,以致阳气不舒,因多发热。即长,下体勿令过暖,盖十六岁以前,
气血方盛,如日方升,惟阴常不足耳,下体主阴,得寒凉则阴易长,过温暖则阴暗
消。故《曲礼》曰∶童子不衣裘裳。(《保婴易知录》)
小儿落下脐带,瓦上焙干为末,脐带若有五分重,入朱砂、黄连、甘草各二分五厘,和匀蜜拌,或用
生地、当归煎浓汤,调如糊,做四五次涂乳母乳头上,俟儿 之,必使一日夜 尽,
次日大便遗下秽污浊垢之物,皆恶毒也。日后不但痘稀,可免变黑归肾之患。竟有不出者,亦无囟门不合
之疾。须候脐带落下,即便制服,在六七日间为妙,其朱砂须研极细末,以甘草汤飞过,此乃真保生最上一
乘良法,一以解毒,一以补肾。盖脐带乃有生之河车,系于母之命门,两肾之所生,以肾补肾故耳。(《保
婴易知录》)
凡富贵之家,不宜为儿新制绫罗华丽之服,当知为儿惜福也。(《琢王篇》)
If there is no disease, a slippery pulse at the Guan position indicates retained food stagnation. It is presumed to be caused by the wet nurse; the wet nurse must have a fondness for alcohol and breastfeeds immediately after drinking, thus causing the infant to become intoxicated. This is not due to Wind pathogen.
Upon inquiry, this was found to be true. The infant was administered Zhiqi Zi (Ardisia Japonica Fruit) and Ge Hua (Puerariae Flos), and subsequently returned to normal. (*Gujin Yi'an*)
The common saying goes: "To keep an infant safe, one should maintain a state of slight hunger and cold." This statement is highly erroneous. One must understand that an infant's Zang-Fu organs are fragile and thin, unable to tolerate extremes of fullness or emptiness, heat or cold. Their well-being relies entirely on appropriate nursing and care. If one maintains a state of slight hunger and cold, it may lead to excessive crying due to hunger and frequent colds due to cold exposure, which is indeed inadvisable. Generally, to ensure an infant's peace, one must constantly regulate their hunger and cold states. The method of care involves feeding only when they feel hungry, avoiding overeating; dressing them only when they feel cold, avoiding excessive warmth. This applies not only to infants but also to those who are weak, elderly, or recovering from illness. (*Chuanjiabao*)
When a wet nurse sleeps with the infant, she must never use her arm as a pillow for the child. The heat from her chest and arms may tightly steam the infant's head, leading to carbuncles, sores, and boils. Furthermore, if the infant's head faces the mother's face, the wet nurse's breath blowing onto the infant's Fontanelle (Baihui area) can cause susceptibility to Wind-Cold in later years, resulting in clear nasal discharge that is difficult to treat with medicine. Using a pillow made of fresh Mung Beans (Vigna radiata) is best, as it is cooling and helps eliminate fetal toxins and heat. (Shi Tianji)
In early childhood, a strong craving for sweets may suddenly cease upon seeing an earthworm in the candy. This fear can serve as a clever method to curb such cravings. (Wang Yinjun)
Infants have delicate Spleen and Stomach functions. If the mother chews food before feeding it to the child, the child may fail to digest it properly, inevitably leading to illness.
When the weather is warm, it is beneficial to take the infant out into the sun to play. Frequent exposure to wind and sunlight will strengthen their flesh and blood, enabling them to withstand Wind-Cold and preventing phlegm formation. (*Anmo Jing*)
Using Chrysanthemum flowers as a pillow for infants can clear and brighten the head and eyes. (*Anmo Jing*)
Infants should not consume meat too early, as it damages the Spleen and Stomach. Chicken consumption can generate roundworms and lead to Infantile Malnutrition Syndrome (Gan syndrome); it should not be eaten until after three years of age. (*Anmo Jing*)
In summer, it is advisable to sew a sachet containing seven Almond kernels (Prunus armeniaca seed), peeled and de-veined, to be worn close to the body. This protects against fear induced by thunder sounds. (*Anmo Jing*)
Infants should not be taken into temples, as the spiritual atmosphere may startle their spirit, causing fear. (*Anmo Jing*)
When bathing an infant, choose a windless, enclosed place. The water temperature should be neither too cold nor too hot, and the bath should end promptly; do not let the infant stay in the water for long. In winter, prevent cold exposure; in summer, avoid overheating. However, for infants under one year old, frequent bathing is strictly prohibited to prevent the accumulation of Damp-Heat. (*Yizong Jinjian*)
Infants must strictly avoid eating meat, especially chicken, as overconsumption generates roundworms. Eating snails, tadpoles, clams, eels, turtles, shrimp, and crabs may cause diarrhea or dysentery. (*Baoying Yizhilu*)
When sleeping with the infant, the mother must avoid blowing her breath onto the infant's Fontanelle, as this may induce Wind diseases. (*Suosuilu*)
Infants' clothes and bedding should be aired in the sun during the day and brought in at night; they should not be left outside overnight. Exposure to celestial bodies and evil birds might expose the infant to malign Qi, leading to innocent Gan syndrome or incessant crying. Clothes must be fumigated with vinegar-charcoal or exposed to sunlight before use. (Qian Zhongyang)
For newborns, do not wrap them with oily hands. In spring, avoid covering the head and wrapping the feet; in summer, avoid cold drinks and ice; in winter, avoid heating clothes and bedding with fire. (*Xiao'er Jingyao*)
Do not allow infants to indulge excessively in playthings. Keep sharp blades and dangerous objects away from their touch. Avoid proximity to monkeys, as it may harm their spirit. Do not hold parrots, as it may damage their eyes.
For boys learning to speak, avoid letting them be frivolous. When they learn to sit, do not allow prolonged sitting to prevent spinal curvature. Do not encourage walking too early, as their bones and tendons are soft. For thunder or drumming, do not cover their ears. Sleep and wakefulness should be regulated, encouraging early rising. Food intake should not be excessive; clothing should not be layered heavily. Regularly consume vegetable soups; avoid rich delicacies. Sweet, fatty, sour, and cold foods, ginger, garlic, melons, vegetables, greasy foods, and raw eggplants should not be overconsumed. Do not leave lights on at night; do not tell ghost stories during the day. Do not sleep facing the wind; do not sit near water. If laughing excessively, calm them down; if crying excessively, cheer them up. Do not breastfeed immediately after intense crying or laughing. (*Fengshi Jinnang*)
In winter, use a water bucket base for the infant's bed; in summer, use a bamboo basket. The infant must lie straight, facing the light. If lying with their back to the light, they may look up at the brightness, potentially causing upward deviation of the eyeballs. Avoid placing attractive objects near the bed that might cause the infant to turn their head sideways, leading to lateral eye deviation. Avoid colorful decorations on the front of the infant's hat to prevent upward gaze. (*Cha'er Lu*)
Use the father's old clothes for boys and the mother's old clothes for girls, modified for the infant. Clothing should not be too thick, lest it cause high fever, sores, or convulsions. (*Qianjin Lun*)
For newborns, do not put hats on them before cutting the lanugo hair. This practice can prevent wind-cold infections and chronic nasal congestion throughout life. (*Dasheng Yaozhi*)
Generally, add clothing when the child is cold and remove cotton when hot. Excessive cold causes Qi stagnation and Blood coagulation; excessive heat causes sweating and opening of Couli (pores), allowing Wind pathogens to easily invade and cause disease. Avoid exposing the body to wind while undressed. On warm, windless days, take the child out to play, but do not place them directly on the ground to avoid cold. The Shu points of the Zang-Fu organs are located on the back, and the Lung is particularly delicate. Upon Wind-Cold invasion, hairs stand erect, pores close, leading to cough, wheezing, vomiting, abdominal heat, and aversion to cold. Therefore, the infant's back should be kept warm. The abdomen houses the Spleen and Stomach; the Stomach is the Sea of Water and Grain, and the Spleen governs transformation and transportation. Cold prevents digestion, leading to borborygmus, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Therefore, the abdomen should be kept warm. The feet are connected to the Yangming Stomach meridian; thus, cold rises from below, so the feet should be kept warm. The head is the meeting point of the Six Yang meridians; the brain is the Sea of Marrow. Coolness keeps it firm, while heat causes leakage, potentially leading to fontanelle swelling, cranial suture separation, eye diseases, or scalp sores. Therefore, the head should be kept cool. The Heart belongs to Fire. External heat can stir internal Heart Fire, causing exterior-interior combined heat. Mild cases present with dry mouth and tongue, red cheeks, and flushed face; severe cases involve crying, convulsions, restlessness, and thirst. Therefore, the chest and heart area should be kept cool. (*Fengshi Jinnang*)
Sixty days after birth, the pupils form, and the infant can smile and recognize people. Avoid holding by strangers or exposure to unusual objects. At 100 days, the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) matures, and the infant can roll over. At 180 days, the sacral bone forms; the mother should teach the infant to sit. At 240 days, the carpal bones form; the mother should support crawling. At 300 days, the patella forms; the mother should support standing. After one year, the knee bones form; the mother should support walking. These are fixed methods of rearing. Constant holding without exposure to wind, sun, or ground Qi leads to weak bones and tendons, delaying walking. Improper care leads to disease. These errors stem from excessive protection. (Zhang Huan)
Infants often play with objects within reach. Do not forcibly snatch them away to avoid anger. However, prevent them from handling blades, holding copper coins, approaching fire/water, entering temples, or seeing ghosts/deities. (*Yuying Jiami*)
Wet nurses must never cry with tears falling into the infant's eyes, as this may cause dryness of the eyes. (*Fengshi Jinnang*)
Once an infant can speak, teach them proper language, avoiding vulgar speech. Once they can eat, teach them respect, avoiding disrespectful habits. Once they can sit and walk, support them to prevent falls. Teach them distinctions of kinship, status, seniority, and juniority among relatives and neighbors. Teach honesty in speech, avoiding deceit. Teach etiquette in greeting guests. Teach them about clothing, utensils, grains, and animals when encountering them. Teach numbers, directions, and dates. This ensures not only health but also early intellectual development. (*Yuying Jiami*)
Although a newborn has formed physical structures, their bones and tendons are very soft, like tender plant stems. Within 100 days, do not hold them upright, as this may frighten them and cause head tilting and neck weakness, risking collapse of the cervical spine. Before six months, do not allow independent sitting, as Wind pathogens may enter the back, damaging the spine and causing kyphosis. (*Dasheng Yaozhi*)
Newborns have unconsolidated skin and flesh. Single-layer clothing is preferable to warm clothing; warmth leads to weak bones/tendons and sores. Old wadding is preferable to new cotton; new cotton may cause sweating and surface deficiency, inviting Cold pathogens. Exposure to ground Qi and wind/sunlight is essential; lack thereof leads to soft skin prone to injury. Wealthy families often wrap infants heavily and hold them constantly, delaying walking. Rural children, exposed to elements and occasional hunger/cold, remain healthy. Like plants in deep mountains growing strong quickly, versus cultivated ornamental plants that often fail to fruit, is there a difference in principle based on status? (*Chao Shi Bing Yuan*)
Newborns have unstable Qi and Blood and immature Zang-Fu organs. Every 31 days, they undergo Bian Zheng (growth cycles), manifesting as fever, aversion to cold, vomiting/diarrhea, or sweating. These are signs of growing vessels and intelligence. Finger veins should be pale red and normal, without chaotic patterns or blue/purple/black colors. Each cycle develops a Zang or Fu organ. After ten cycles, Zang-Fu are complete, and fetal toxins dissipate. This must be understood within the first year. Infants with robust prenatal Qi do not exhibit this pattern. (Zhou Yufan)
Scholars often hire wet nurses for infants, showing little emotional connection. To stop crying, they may force-feed or secretly give sticky, cold, or sugary snacks. This ignores that infant illnesses often stem from food injury. The proverb "Keep an infant safe with slight hunger and cold" means avoiding overfeeding and overheating, not enduring actual hunger and cold. (Zhou Yufan)
For infants with excess Phlegm obstructing the throat, unable to spit or swallow, press the Qihai (CV6) acupoint with finger joints, release, pinch the tip of the middle finger several times, push Yongquan (KI1) counter-clockwise without rubbing, press Jiache (ST6) with opposing fingers, and use an ear pick to stimulate the tongue to induce vomiting. (Xia Yuzhu)
Danxi stated: Overuse of warm cotton/silk clothing in infants restricts Yang Qi, causing frequent fever. Even in adulthood, the lower body should not be kept too warm. Before age sixteen, Qi and Blood are flourishing like the rising sun, yet Yin is always insufficient. The lower body governs Yin; coolness promotes Yin growth, while excessive warmth consumes Yin. Thus, *Li Ji* states: Boys do not wear fur garments. (*Baoying Yizhilu*)
Dry umbilical cords on tiles, grind into powder. Mix 5 fen of cord powder with 2.5 fen each of Cinnabar (Zhusha), Rhubarb (Huanglian), and Licorice (Gancao). Blend with honey or decoct Rehmannia (Shengdi) and Angelica Sinensis (Danggui) into a thick paste. Apply to the wet nurse's nipple 4-5 times over 24 hours for the infant to suck. The next day, the infant will pass foul waste, eliminating toxins. This reduces smallpox severity, prevents blackening/kidney involvement, and may prevent unclosed fontanelles. Apply immediately after the cord falls off, ideally within 6-7 days. Cinnabar must be finely powdered and purified with Licorice decoction. This is the supreme method for preservation, detoxifying and tonifying the Kidney. The umbilical cord is the "River Cart" of life, connected to the Gate of Vitality (Mingmen) and generated by the Kidneys; thus, it tonifies the Kidney with Kidney. (*Baoying Yizhilu*)
Wealthy families should not make new, luxurious silk clothes for infants, understanding the need to conserve fortune/virtue for the child. (*Zhuo Wang Pian*)