This scale is the most comprehensive examination of newborn behaviour available and is used in both clinical and research settings around the world. It has been used to study the effects of intrauterine deprivation, maternal substance use, casesarian-section, undernutrition, preterm birth and other pre- and perinatal variables and has also been used in cross cultural studies. Its value as a reliable research instrument has been established for 20 years. The scale is being used increasingly by clinicians in their clinical practice as a way of sensitising parents to the capacities of their newborn infants and as a way of identifying concerns about the baby. With this in mind, this new edition of the scale manual is particularly designed to make it easier for clinicians to use the scale in this way. Guidelines for adaptations for use in clinical practice are clearly outlined. As with previous editions, the manual also provides background information on the scale and it presents information on the administration of each item and detailed criteria for scoring. Information on training is also included.