This section focuses on two main topics: what it takes to keep a newborn alive and how much it will cost you. Only differences that are substantial and backed by solid evidence are included here. Detailed advice on soothing or raising a baby is beyond the scope of this book. For tasks to handle before birth and on the day of discharge, please refer to Section 27.
English text comes from the independent translation maintained by dlgrv. New entries without a translation appear in Chinese. The author's Chinese original is authoritative for the latest content. Translation snapshot: dlgrv/HowToLiveBetter · 11818c6
Keep infants sleeping on their backs on a firm surface; share a room but not a bed; and do not place any soft items in the crib or bed.
Always place babies on their backs to sleep on a hard, flat surface. Parents and infants should share a room, but not the same bed. Never put pillows, blankets, bed rails, stuffed animals, or special shaped pillows in the sleeping area. Inclined cribs or baby chairs are only meant for sitting — they must never be used as a sleeping surface. In the United States alone, roughly 3,500 infants die each year from sleep-related causes.
Cost
This costs nothing upfront. However, you’ll need to replac…
Benefit
Each year, nearly 3,500 infants in the U.S. lose their lives to sleep-related issues, including sudden infant…
02Evidence A
Administer the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours after birth
The first dose of hepatitis B vaccine must be given to a newborn within 24 hours after birth. Roughly 95% of infants and toddlers who contract hepatitis B go on to develop chronic hepatitis. In contrast, the vast majority of adults who get infected recover on their own without medical intervention. Hence, the earlier this vaccine is administered, the greater its protective benefit. If the mother tests positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, the infant also needs to receive an injection of hepatitis B immunoglobulin at the same time.
Cost
No cost at all. The hepatitis B vaccine is part of the rou…
Benefit
The World Health Organization states: “All infants should receive the hepatitis B vaccine as early as possible…
03Evidence A
Ensure your child receives all vaccines in the national immunization schedule at no cost; missed doses can be added later
All vaccines included in the national immunization schedule are completely free — clinics cannot charge a single cent. Both daycare centers and schools require proof of vaccination, so any missed doses will definitely be noticed and must be made up later. You only need to receive the remaining doses; there’s no need to restart the entire series from the beginning. Even if a different manufacturer produces the same vaccine, it can still be used. Conditions such as eczema, hives, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and even neonatal jaundice do not prevent vaccination, provided the condition remains stable.
Cost
Absolutely free. Laws explicitly state that vaccination ce…
Benefit
Daycare centers and schools must verify that children have received all required vaccines on schedule. If any…
04Evidence A
Breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months — no water needed; introduce solids at 6 months while continuing breastfeeding
Breastfeeding should begin within the first hour after birth. For the first 6 months, infants only need breast milk — no water or other fluids are required. At 6 months, solid foods can be introduced, while breastfeeding should be continued until age 2 or beyond. These solid foods must include iron-rich animal-based products. If breast milk is insufficient or unavailable, formula is a perfectly acceptable alternative — there is no need to feel guilty. The choice between breast milk and formula has far less impact on a child’s survival than ensuring they sleep on their back.
Cost
This costs nothing;
Benefit
The World Health Organization recommends initiating breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. It also a…
05Evidence A
Use water hotter than 70 °C to prepare formula, then let it cool before feeding; discard any leftovers.
Formula milk is not sterile and may contain a bacterium called Cronobacter sakazakii. Once newborns are infected, reported mortality rates range from 40% to 80%. To minimize this risk, first pour hot water into the feeding bottle, then wait until the temperature drops to around 73.8 °C before adding the formula. At this point, the milk remains above 70 °C, which can reduce the amount of this bacterium to less than one ten-thousandth of its original level. After preparation, let the milk cool completely before feeding, and discard any portions that are not consumed.
Cost
No monetary cost. It only requires a few extra minutes of…
Benefit
Formula milk is not sterile and may harbor Cronobacter sakazakii. Reported mortality rates among newborns infe…
06Evidence A
Do not feed honey to children under 1 year old
Never give honey to babies under 1 year of age. This includes honey water, honey mixed into baby food, and any baked goods containing honey. Honey can contain bacteria that cause botulism. An adult’s gut microbiome is able to keep these bacteria in check, but a baby’s cannot. The same rule applies to homemade pickled foods and fermented products.
Cost
No cost involved
Benefit
According to the Chinese CDC, “Do not feed honey to children under 1 year of age” because “honey may contain b…
07Evidence B
Vitamin K injection at birth is essential
Newborns naturally have very little vitamin K stored in their bodies. Without supplementation, it can lead to vitamin K deficiency bleeding; the delayed form often manifests as bleeding inside the brain. In regions where this injection isn’t routinely given, the incidence of such bleeding is about 478 cases per 100,000 newborns. Administering the injection is estimated to reduce this rate by over 78%. In China, all reputable hospitals routinely provide this injection during delivery. For home births or births at unregulated facilities, parents should proactively ask whether it was given.
Cost
0 to several dozen yuan. This cost is usually already incl…
Benefit
Newborns possess minimal vitamin K reserves. Failure to supplement may result in vitamin K deficiency bleeding…
08Evidence A
Infants under 3 months with a body temperature of 38°C should be taken straight to the hospital — no home observation needed
Infants under 3 months of age with a body temperature of 38°C must be taken to the hospital right away. Do not wait at home, and do not give them fever reducers first to see if symptoms improve. Even if an infant at this age has a serious bacterial infection, fever may be the only symptom they show. Therefore, the fact that a baby seems alert and in good spirits is not a valid reason to keep them at home. For infants under 8 days old, there are no relevant medical guidelines at all, so they must be seen by a doctor immediately.
Cost
Registration and tests cost several hundred yuan.
Benefit
The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued specific guidelines for full-term infants aged 8 to 60 days who…
09Evidence B
No matter how tired or angry you are, never shake a baby
A baby’s head makes up a large proportion of their body size, yet their neck muscles are still very weak. Shaking them forcefully can cause bleeding inside the brain and eyes, potentially leading to death or lifelong disabilities. Gentle rocking while trying to soothe them is not dangerous; the real risk comes from uncontrolled, violent shaking. When you feel yourself losing control, place the baby back in their crib and step away for a few minutes. Letting them cry for a short while is far safer than holding them and shaking them.
Cost
There is no monetary cost. The real difficulty lies in res…
Benefit
Because a baby’s head is proportionally large and their neck muscles are underdeveloped, violent shaking can r…
10Evidence C
Diaper selection depends on three factors: fit, how often you change them, and whether they’ve been flagged in quality inspections
No government agency has ever published an official ranking of “which diaper brand is best.” The only verifiable information comes from two sources: product quality inspection reports issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation, and official investigations into specific incidents. A higher price tag does not guarantee safety, nor does being an imported product guarantee compliance with standards. Start by purchasing a small pack and trying it for a week; watch for signs of skin irritation or red marks on your baby’s skin. If they seem comfortable, you can then buy in bulk.
Cost
Prices range from a few hundred to over a thousand yuan pe…
Benefit
Since no official body has released any “best brand” rankings, this guide does not recommend any specific bran…
11Evidence C
Consider buying big-ticket items in the order “borrow, buy used, buy new” — don’t buy them all at once
Strollers, cribs, blankets, and toys are used for only a short time, and there’s plenty of them on the used market with few buyers. First, try to borrow them; if that’s not possible, buy used; only then should you consider buying new — this usually saves you thousands of yuan. However, it’s not advisable to buy used car seats or mattresses, since any structural damage from prior crashes isn’t visible to the naked eye. Things like postpartum care centers and early-education classes are optional big expenses; wait at least 24 hours before deciding.
Cost
No extra money is needed;
Benefit
Strollers, cribs, blankets, and toys are all used for only a brief period, and the used market offers far more…
12Evidence A
For children with severe eczema or egg allergy, don’t avoid peanuts — introduce them early under medical guidance, but never feed whole peanuts.
In a randomized trial of 640 high‑risk infants, those who ate peanuts regularly from 4 to 11 months of age had a peanut allergy rate of only 1.9% by age 5, compared with 13.7% in the group that completely avoided peanuts. Among children already showing a weak positive skin test at enrollment, the rates were 10.6% versus 35.3%. Avoiding peanuts actually raises the risk of allergy. However, whole peanuts must never be given, as they can block the airway. A total of 530 infants had negative skin tests at entry, while 98 had weakly positive results.
Cost
A jar of peanut butter costs just a few dozen yuan. Feedin…
Benefit
The LEAP trial involved 640 infants aged 4–11 months with severe eczema, egg allergy, or both. One group ate p…