This article tests a hypothesis regarding patterns of infant care in non-industrial societies. The authors find that a consistent pattern of infant care that emphasizes mother-infant contact exists among hunter-gatherers and other non-industrial societies. These infant care practices differ from those found in the United states that do not promote extensive infant-mother contact.

This study examines the presence of parent-infant body contact at birth in non-industrial societies and its effects on subsequent infant care. The results show that immediate parent-infant contact is not common among most societies and does not have a significant effect on the quality of infant care.