What’s Really Driving the Feeding Challenge? Looking Beyond the Symptoms

In this episode, Hallie Bulkin sits down with Shayla Bollman, MA, CCC-SLP, CPFT, CLC, to discuss her journey as a pediatric speech-language pathologist and how earning her Certified Pediatric Feeding Therapist (CPFT) credential transformed her clinical evaluation process, treatment approach, and referral network.

Shay shares practical strategies for responsive feeding, differentiating gagging from choking to ease caregiver anxiety, and managing pre- and post-operative care for tongue-tie releases. She also breaks down how blending lactation counseling with feeding therapy strengthens family advocacy, builds caregiver confidence, and creates sustainable, in-home support for complex infant feeding cases.

About the Guest: Shayla Bollman, MA, CCC-SLP, CPFT, CLC

Shayla (Shay) Bollman is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with seven years of clinical experience in outpatient pediatric settings. She is a Certified Pediatric Feeding Therapist™️ (CPFT™️), Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), and holds an interdisciplinary autism certification. Shay specializes in pediatric and infant feeding, tethered oral tissues (TOTS), bottle refusal, and supporting families through complex feeding transitions. Her clinical approach is responsive, family-centered, and focused on the whole child.

Key Topics & Takeaways

• The CPFT Certification Impact: How advanced clinical training shifts diagnostic reasoning, evaluation depth, and interdisciplinary referral strategies.
• Pre- & Post-Op TOTS Care: Why comprehensive pre-surgical preparation and targeted post-operative wound management are vital for successful release outcomes.
• In-Home Care & Parent Advocacy: Empowering families with practical, sustainable mealtime strategies and bridging communication between pediatricians, specialists, and caregivers.

Soundbites

"Holistic assessment is crucial for effective feeding therapy—we have to evaluate the entire developmental picture, not just the mouth."

"Building a collaborative team and offering in-home family support makes a profound difference in a child's feeding progress."

"Helping parents understand the clinical difference between a gag and a choke is essential for mealtime safety and peace of mind."

Timestamps 

01:04 - Guest Introduction: Shayla Bollman, MA, CCC-SLP, CPFT, CLC

02:00 - Impact of CPFT Certification on Diagnostic Reasoning & Practice Growth

07:06 - Empathy in Infant Feeding: Transitioning to Infant Clinical Care

12:16 - Understanding Feeding Refusal in Infants

15:15 - Blending Lactation Counseling (CLC) with Pediatric Feeding Therapy

19:08 - Assessing Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTS): Bodywork & Functional Milestones

22:08 - Pre- and Post-Op Care for Tongue-Tie Releases

46:20 - Raising Intuitive Eaters: Long-Term Impacts of Mealtime Support

49:38 - Interdisciplinary Advocacy: Partnering with Pediatricians & Specialists

53:42 - In-Home Care, Caregiver Classes & Launching Private Practice

58:02 - Connecting with Shayla Bollman

Links & Resources

• Connect with Shayla Bollman: Follow Shay’s clinical tips, private practice updates, and caregiver resources on Instagram @shaybollman.
• FREE TRAINING: Learn how structural airway limits directly affect feeding in our free Screen The Peds to Feed The Peds Training.