Why Are Things "Cute"?

Why do we like soft, cuddly things, and why do they have an effect on us?
We tend to like big eyes, and soft facial feature, and these "cute" characteristics can be found in the human baby.  If we automatically feel the need to protect a baby, it can trigger a similar feeling to other objects that have the same characteristics as a baby. For example, bunnies, birds, and even a hammer.
Yes, a hammer. Normally, a hammer is boring, but if you were to take a hammer, make it more round, and shorten it. It would be seen as cute and not the boring hammer it normally is.
The hammer became cute because it was given "cute" characteristics.
(Information from vsauce)