Potty training can feel like one of the most stressful milestones in early parenting. There’s pressure from preschool deadlines, advice from every corner of the internet, and the nagging feeling that your child is the only one who hasn’t figured it out yet. But what if potty training struggles aren’t really about behavior at all?

In this episode, Dr. Whitney talks with Dr. Quiara Smith, a pediatric pelvic health occupational therapist and founder of Aloha Integrative Therapy, about the many biological, sensory, and developmental factors that influence toileting.

They discuss why constipation, sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and muscle coordination all play a role in toileting success (and why the “three-day potty training method” often misses the bigger picture).

If potty training has been a source of stress in your family, this episode offers a compassionate, evidence-based perspective on what might actually be going on inside your child’s body.

Read more.