Riley Harris was born with a very small jaw which meant his tongue sat back further than normal, blocking his airpassage. Riley was only getting one breath out of every four into his lungs.

Within hours of being born, Riley was rushed to the Royal Children’s Hospital where doctors put a breathing tube down his throat, to help him breathe.

Then, he underwent a surgical procedure known as jaw distraction, which was pioneered at the RCH. The procedure has helped Riley’s jaw grow and his mum couldn’t be happier. Riley is now breathing on his own and can even poke his tongue out.

Photo courtesy of the Herald Sun