Dante, its a simple regression to his baby years (2, 3 years of age) when the mother rocks his or her offspring to calm them down if they're crying, etc etc..
Many babies that dont get much attention from their mothers will actually do this themselves, its kind of sad but happens more than you think. Kids will play with their hair, rock back and forth, etc etc, trying somehow to replace their mothers care and attention.
What Mazzone does should fall under this category.