Colic Isn’t the Whole Story: Reading the Feeding and Airway Clues with Kate Kurzhal

When a baby suffers from persistent crying, gas, or feeding struggles, parents are routinely told that "colic" is just something infants outgrow. But true clinical care recognizes that colic is not a final diagnosis—it is a clear physiological cry for help pointing to underlying mechanical tension, airway compromise, or feeding dysfunction.

In this episode, Hallie Bulkin sits down with Kate Kurzhal, M.A., CCC-SLP, owner of Ripple Effect Pediatric Therapy and mom of four. Kate shares her personal journey through the emotional toll and exhaustion of early motherhood, which sparked her transition into specialized feeding, myofunctional therapy, and pediatric airway care.

About the Guest: Kate Kurzhal, M.A., CCC-SLP

Kate Kurzhal, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist with eight years of pediatric experience and the owner/operator of Ripple Effect Pediatric Therapy in South Bend, Indiana. A double graduate of Indiana University-Bloomington with proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL), Kate specializes in pediatric feeding therapy (supporting picky eaters and ARFID), myofunctional therapy, and airway-centric care.

Key Topics & Takeaways

• Deconstructing "Colic": Why framing colic as a symptom rather than a diagnosis unlocks true root-cause solutions for infant distress.
• The Impact of Micro-Detail Video Analysis: Using high-level feeding evaluations to spot subtle body tension, oral motor fatigue, and structural limits.
• The Value of Private Pay & Out-of-Network Care

Soundbites

"Colic is a symptom, not a diagnosis—it's a physiological sign that something in the child's system needs attention."

"Early physical and physiological intervention can completely change the developmental trajectory of a child."

Timestamps

• 02:21 — Kate’s story: colic, feeding struggles, and finding support
• 11:02 — From motherhood to myofunctional training and airway advocacy
• 21:57 — Oral releases, pre- and post-care, and body tension
• 32:51 — Why “wait and see” can delay access to care
• 55:24 — Where to connect with Kate and closing reflections
• 57:46 — Disclaimer and outro

Links & Resources

• Connect with Kate Kurzhal: Learn more about her practice, services, and team at Ripple Effect Pediatric Therapy.
• Follow Kate on Social Media: Connect on Instagram @rippleeffectpediatrictherapy and Facebook.
• Fast Myo Screening Tool: Identify functional, structural, and airway red flags during intake at FastMyoScreening.com.
• FREE TRAINING: Learn how structural airway limits directly affect feeding in our free Screen The Peds to Feed The Peds Training.
• THE HUB: Connect with pediatric SLPs, OTs, ENTs, and airway specialists inside