Cleft Lip: Thousands following cheeky Coast baby's journey

DESPITE this mum's 'text book pregnancy', the room went silent when her baby boy entered the world.

Charlie after his lip surgery. Picture: Contributed

DESPITE this mum's "text book pregnancy", the room went silent when her baby boy entered the world.

Charlotte Halliday's cheeky baby Charlie had a cleft lip and palate which meant the first four months of his life were spent in and out of hospital, culminating in a major lip surgery.

He's now due for a second major surgery on Monday, but will likely face other smaller procedures during his life.

Throughout the Landsborough woman's pregnancy the only concerns doctors had were about Charlie's size.

But when she was induced at 37 weeks "the whole room just went silent".

"I knew something was wrong," Ms Halliday said.

Charlie before his lip surgery. Picture: Contributed

Despite 12 scans and a 3D scan during the pregnancy, nothing abnormal was picked up as Charlie had often been covering his face.

The surgery has created new milestones for Charlie as he begins to experience things he couldn't previously.

"He's started being able to blow bubbles and raspberries," Ms Halliday said.

"You can tell he's been through so much, he's so strong."

The proud mum started the Facebook page Charlie's Journey which has close to 2500 members all waiting to hear updates on the happy bub.

Now Ms Halliday can't even go to the shops without someone recognising her son.

"It's pretty amazing," she said.

"The amount of people who have come up to me and they're so nice."

Despite having a rough start, Ms Halliday said her son has grown to be an inspiration to those around him.

"People look up to him, I look up to him," she said.

"He's always smiling and that's what always gotten me through."

Originally published as Cleft Lip: Thousands following cheeky Coast baby's journey