Final answer:
The new-born child described is in Mahler's 'normal autism' stage of development due to their sleep-dominant state and lack of interaction with the environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
If your friend were to ask you which of Mahler's stages of separation-individuation the child fits into, considering the child spends more time asleep than awake and is not particularly aware of the environment, you would confidently answer: A. Normal autism. This stage is characterized by a lack of differentiation between the infant and the external world. During the first few weeks of life, infants are mostly in a sleep-like state and show little interest in the outside world, embodying what Mahler referred to as the 'normal autistic phase.' As they develop, they progress through subsequent stages including symbiosis, where the infant begins to recognize their primary caregiver but still lacks a sense of individuality.