Dataset for "Reframing Mother-Child Closeness and Cooperative Caregiving in Hunter-Gatherer Societies"

This dataset contains behavioral observation data of young children from two hunter-gatherer populations: the !Xun (Namibia, 2004) and the Baka (Cameroon, 2023). Focal children aged 1–59 months were observed for 8 hours (960 intervals) among the !Xun and 16 hours (1,920 intervals) among the Baka. Data were collected through continuous focal observations at 30-second intervals.To examine mother–child closeness and the involvement of multiple caregivers, we analyzed (1) maternal caregiving behaviors, focusing on child-holding (M_Hold_I) and breastfeeding (M_Breastfeed_I) by mothers, and (2) allomaternal caregiving behaviors, focusing on child-holding (A_Hold_I) and breastfeeding by allomaternal individuals, including adults and older children/adolescents. Additionally, we investigated (3) interactions involving young allomaternal caregivers, defined as caregiving by older children and adolescents, including child-holding (Y_Hold_I) and focal children's participation in mixed-age peer groups (Playgroup).