On newborn cuddliness

Abstract

We discuss the methodological implications of research into the newborn's response to cuddling, that is cuddliness, an item on the Brazelton NBAS scale. After analyzing its dimension as an interaction cycle, we describe an investigation into cuddliness in 52 newborns aged 0 to 3 hours before they had been fed or presented to their mothers. We report on the behavioral changes that proved to be most significant both for postural sequence and for involvement of the partner. These data are correlated with the variations in level of alertness observed during the maneuvers and characterizing the course of the interaction, which started in the quiet awake state (level 3-4) and ended with the transition either to sleepiness or to tension.