What is a scientific reason of why we have this insatiable penchant for things that look so cute?

What makes us have this urge to fawn, snuggle, and squeal with such saccharine delight over anything that’s unbearably adorable? It’s not that I don’t like cute things, or that I didn’t experienced the joys from them. I LOVE cute things! All I’m asking is, when did we start recognizing sweet, dainty, beauty in objects, people, and animals? And does it help in survival strategy in any way?