Instead of investigating why little Cruz’s head protruded alarmingly at both the front and back, various health professionals suggested the Gormans’ differ his sleep positions, use a doughnut pillow or simply wait for it to fix itself.

It was only during a trip to a paediatrician for an unrelated condition in the week that Cruz turned one, that the couple got some answers.

‘’Within the first couple of weeks of Cruz’s birth we both noticed that the shape of his head was far different to our first two children,’’ Mrs Gorman said.

‘’We consulted with doctors and nurses at every vaccination and health check, but our concerns were just shrugged off.

‘’It was only when we walked into the paediatrician’s office and he asked ‘Who have you seen about his head’ that action was finally taken.’’

Scans revealed that Cruz had craniosynostosis – a birth defect in which one or more of the sutures between the bones of a baby’s skull close prematurely, before their brain is fully formed. As Cruz grew, his skull was starting to crush his brain.

‘’The increased intercranial pressure in the brain could have led to visual, hearing and/or speech impairments, reduced IQ and an inability to reach milestones,’’ Mrs Gorman said.

The couple’s research of the condition – which affects one in 2500 children – led to Professor David David who heads the Australian Craniofacial Unit in Adelaide. Cruz underwent a skull reconstruction in March 2014, aged 15 months.

‘’The procedure consisted of a zigzag scar from ear to ear with his scalp then pulled forwards and backwards,’’ Mrs Gorman said.

‘’A piece of bone 15cm x 7cm was cut out to remove the fused suture, his forehead bone was removed, reshaped and reattached and the big bullet of bone at the back was also cut out.’’

The results were swift.

‘’Prior to surgery he’d not been quite there with speech and had not been walking,’’ Mrs Gorman said. ‘’Afterwards it was like they flicked the switch - he was walking and talking non-stop.’’

The family hopes to raise awareness of the condition.

‘’My advice to other parents is to follow their intuition and keep trying to get answers,’’ Mrs Gorman said.

‘’While it was devastating to get the diagnosis, we’re so thankful it was finally identified.

‘’I hate to think of the path he would have had to travel if it had gone untreated.’’

Cruz, who turns three this month, will be monitored annually as he grows by Professor David, but signs are good that his brain is ‘’happy and healthy’’.

The couple – who’ve since had a fourth child - set up a Facebook page ‘Cruz’s cranio journey’ to track his progress while an online fundraiser had helped with medical bills.

To give back, they donate 50 per cent of the money raised through the site (www.gofundme.com/cruzscraniojourney) to the Australian Craniofacial Foundation.