After six years of studying alongside her work at Mother’s Choice, our Director of Clinical and Residential Programs, Charmaine Tidmarsh, has earned her PhD in Infant and Early Childhood Development! Her pioneering research on the impact of cuddling programs is transforming how we, and other institutions in Hong Kong, support children with developmental delays.
At Mother’s Choice, we dream of a world where every child is welcomed with joy and embraced by a family. Yet, we exist because this is not always the reality. Many children in our care begin life without the certainty of a loving home, and that is why our vision remains: to see every child in a safe and loving family.
This belief drives everything we do, including championing innovative approaches and research — like the work of Dr. Charmaine Tidmarsh, our Director of Clinical and Residential Services.
We are proud to celebrate Dr. Tidmarsh’s recent achievement of earning her PhD in Infant and Early Childhood Development, with a specialisation in mental health and developmental disorders. Her groundbreaking research, titled “The Effects of the Infant Cuddling Programme on Prenatally Exposed and Institutionalised Infants in Hong Kong,” sheds light on the profound impact of connection and individualised care for infants facing some of the toughest starts in life.
Dr. Tidmarsh’s research emphasises a fundamental truth: babies thrive on relationships and love. Her study reveals that one-on-one cuddling significantly improves sleep patterns in infants under six months old, reduces crying, and provides emotional comfort and security. This personalised care supports emotional regulation, neurological development, and the formation of healthy attachment bonds. In institutional settings — where group caregiving is often the norm — her findings highlight the transformative impact of individualised attention.
But this is more than just research; it’s a call to action. Dr. Tidmarsh’s findings open the door to partnerships with peer organisations and the Hong Kong Hospital Authority to bring cuddling programmes into institutional care or when infants require long hospital stays due to medical reasons. By working together, we can ensure that even the most vulnerable infants receive the love and care they need to grow and thrive.
As we celebrate this achievement, we are inspired to continue creating a future where every child — no matter their circumstances — can flourish.