Baby born with severe cleft palate has surgery on his lip

Charlotte Halliday, 23, from Queensland, has been documenting her baby boy’s journey since he was born on April 18. 

The adorable little boy, who was born with a severe cleft palate and lip, has gained a large online following since his mother started sharing stories and photos from their experiences and in July, warmed hearts around the world with his first smile. 

And now, eight weeks on, Charlie has had his first surgery on his lip and is experiencing a whole new list of firsts.

And now, eight weeks on, Charlie has had his first surgery on his lip (pictured after right) experiencing a whole new list of firsts

‘We met the surgeons two weeks ago and they said they couldn’t do surgery until he had tubes out – he had been on and off it because he was struggling to eat,’ Ms Halliday told Daily Mail Australia.

‘My goal was to get him off them. It took a lot of persistence and he eventually started to get more of his bottle so it was a success and then on Thursday he had the surgery.

‘It was a three hour cleft lip surgery and he will have his palate done in the next five months.’

Although it was necessary for Charlie’s health and wellbeing, Ms Halliday said it was difficult saying goodbye before the surgery.

‘It was a three hour cleft lip surgery and he will have his palate done in the next five months,’ Ms Halliday said 

Although it was necessary for Charlie’s health and wellbeing, Ms Halliday (pictured) said it was difficult saying goodbye before the surgery

‘I was so scared – my fear was of seeing him afterwards. He had the cleft when I put him down and that was the last time I would see him with it,’ she said. 

‘I was terrified of how I would react – hundreds of mums told me I would miss his cleft and they were right. 

‘I had to do it for him though, he had to go through it and it has absolutely been for the best.’

Although he came out of surgery a little swollen, Charlie is now back to his smiley self. 

‘I was so scared – my fear was of seeing him afterwards. He had the cleft when I put him down and that was the last time I would see him with it,’ she said

‘I was terrified of how I would react – hundreds of mums told me I would miss his cleft and they were right,’ she said 

‘We have had two firsts and it’s funny how it’s the little things are the most exciting,’ Ms Halliday said. 

‘He sneezed and snot came out of his nose for the first time which is such an achievement – even though it sounds stupid. 

‘He can also blow bubbles for the first time – he’s never done it because he didn’t have a top lip. Now he sits there and loves it, I see him going cross-eyed looking at the bubbles and he’s thrilled.’

The next operation will be the big one and will give Charlie a roof to his mouth for the first time. 

‘He can also blow bubbles for the first time – he’s never done it because he didn’t have a top lip. Now he sits there and loves it, I see him going cross-eyed looking at the bubbles and he’s thrilled,’ Ms Halliday said 

In July, Ms Halliday warmed hearts around the world when she shared adorable photos of Charlie’s first smiles 

Ms Halliday, who shares updates on her Facebook group, Charlie’s Journey, is overwhelmed at the amount of support she’s had over the past few months and is excited to be able to raise awareness.

‘It’s overwhelming but so helpful,’ she said. 

‘It has kept me going at time.’  

In July, Ms Halliday warmed hearts around the world when she shared adorable photos of Charlie’s first smiles. 

‘Just got my first smile off Charlie!!! 3 in a row!!!! Proud mummy moment,’ Ms Halliday wrote after seeing his first ever smile.

The heartwarming snaps were posted on Ms Halliday’s Facebook group, Charlie’s Journey , where she shares updates on her son’s health and news from their hospital visits

Charlie was in and out of hospital with a number of feeding issues and doctors were unable to operate on him until his feeding tubes were out

Charlie was in and out of hospital with a number of feeding issues and doctors were unable to operate on him until his feeding tubes were out.

Charlie, who now has more than 1,700 people following his journey on Facebook, was born after a ‘textbook perfect’ pregnancy but was later diagnosed with a severe cleft lip and palate – both of which were not picked up in scans.

‘At first I didn’t know anything was wrong. He was placed on me but I couldn’t see his face as he was facing the other way,’ Ms Halliday told Daily Mail Australia in April.

‘The look on everyone’s faces told me something was wrong – I was so scared because I didn’t know if it was to do with me or Charlie. 

‘At first I didn’t know anything was wrong. He was placed on me but I couldn’t see his face as he was facing the other way,’ Ms Halliday told Daily Mail Australia in April

The little boy was born after a ‘textbook perfect’ pregnancy but shortly afterwards he was diagnosed with a severe cleft lip and palate (pictured with his mother and father)

‘It was terrifying.’

Ms Halliday’s mother told her that Charlie had a cleft palate and lip and two minutes later he was taken away to be checked on as his heart rate monitor was buzzing.

‘I was devastated and terrified and just had so many mixed emotions – I was wondering how he was, whether he was going to be okay and whether he would be able to survive,’ she said. 

‘The look on everyone’s faces told me something was wrong – I was so scared because I didn’t know if it was to do with me or Charlie,’ she said 

Ms Halliday’s mother told her that Charlie had a cleft palate and lip and two minutes later he was taken away to be checked on as his heart rate monitor was buzzing

‘I was experiencing every single emotion at once. The pediatricians took him away and although he was breathing they had to take him away to check him over and I didn’t see him for hours. 

‘I had no idea if he was okay and doctors said we should expect to be in hospital for up to a month. Thankfully, except for the cleft lip and palate, he was perfectly healthy and happy and we were able to leave a few days later.’

Ms Halliday and her partner Darren were thrilled to go home with their baby boy and were able to feed him using a specially designed bottle.

‘It was so nerve-wracking at first because I was worried he wouldn’t take a bottle or that I would hurt his mouth somehow,’ Ms Halliday said. 

‘I was devastated and terrified and just had so many mixed emotions – I was wondering how he was, whether he was going to be okay and whether he would be able to survive,’ she said

Ms Halliday and her partner Darren were thrilled to go home with their baby boy and were able to feed him using a specially designed bottle

‘But he was feeding perfectly and was able to suck so we were very lucky.’

Ms Halliday posted about Charlie on Facebook to thank the hospital for all of their support.

And after receiving hundreds of supportive comments and requests to follow Charlie’s updates, Ms Halliday decided to start her page. 

‘Despite the shock he’s absolutely beautiful and perfect in our eyes and he’s such a fighter already,’ Ms Halliday said. 

‘I was worried at first about how people would respond to Charlie but people have been so amazing – we have had an overwhelming amount of support. 

‘I haven’t had a single negative comment and everyone has been just amazing. I wouldn’t have been able to get through all of this without them.’ 

‘Despite the shock he’s absolutely beautiful and perfect in our eyes and he’s such a fighter already,’ Ms Halliday said (Charlie pictured with his aunty)

‘I was worried at first about how people would respond to Charlie but people have been so amazing – we have had an overwhelming amount of support,’ she said 

Ms Halliday, who has had the support of many parents in a similar situation, urges those who do have a child born with a cleft palate and/or lip to surround themselves with a support network.

‘Expect the unexpected, thank God your baby is healthy and that nothing is seriously wrong,’ she said. 

Updates on little Charlie’s surgeries and his progress can be found on his Facebook page, Charlie’s Journey.