"For example, if a baby is hungry, it sounds like it is fairly desperate and unrelenting. The cry turns intermittent if the baby is tired and needs to sleep," Liu added.

Liu's book also covers some other specific details about caring for a nursing mom, breastfeeding problems and when to call the doctor.

Many cases involving nursing are lying on the desk in Liu Guixiang's workshop in Jinan, East China's Shandong province. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Apart from writing books and analyzing recent cases, Liu pioneered opening a class for grandmothers, who may have their own ideas about mother and baby care.

"It is easy to teach a new mom, but not to their moms or mothers-in-law, most of whom consider it is unnecessary to employ a maternity matron, as it is quite an expensive business," Liu said.

"To serve that kind of family, you need to acquire their trust first. Harnessing more skills can make you more incredibly persuasive," Liu said.

Liu started training others in 2005. For the first several months, she offered training classes twice a month but now it's four times each month. "The highest number of trainees could reach as many as 270," Liu said.

Many photos and accomplishments are posted in Liu Guixiang's workshop in Jinan, East China's Shandong province. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

"She (Liu) worked almost 12 hours a day, and she was raring to train more," Li Qing, another trainee at Liu's workshop, said.

Liu said she's never thought anyone is too old to learn. Since the universal second-child policy was adopted in 2016, the increasing awareness of the importance of taking care of mothers and newborns has swept across China.

"We're just doing something good for a newly sprung industry where talent shortages for in-demand skills persist," Liu said.