Healing begins with love, and sometimes it’s as simple as a cuddle. Our role is to prepare our children, so they are ready to meet their families.
Mother’s Choice’s Cuddle Me Programme was launched in 2017 to provide vulnerable babies in our care with therapeutic touch. For babies who have experienced trauma or adversity, a cuddle is more than comfort. It’s a vital part of their development.
Backed by our own Director of Clinical & Residential Services, Dr. Charmaine Tidmarsh’s doctoral research in Infant and Early Childhood Development, the evidence is clear: nurturing physical touch significantly improves sleep, reduces distress, and promotes healing during critical stages of early childhood.
But beyond the science, Dr. Tidmarsh says, “Every cuddle tells a baby: ‘You are safe, you are loved, and you matter.’ For babies who’ve experienced instability or trauma, it is often their first step in building attachment and trust, especially for those who may not have mothers or role models to guide them.”
Through the Cuddle Me Programme, and thanks to the dedication of our caregivers and volunteers, the littlest ones in our community are taking their first steps toward healing and hope.
Because sometimes, the greatest gift you can give a baby is the warmth of your arms and the steady presence of love.
