Ask the
Poop Lady

Yes. Frequency isn’t everything. A child can pass small, hard stools while older, harder stool stays higher up in the colon. Look at the whole picture — very large stools, pain, tummy aches, withholding posture, or new pee accidents all matter more than the daily count.

Usually because pooping has hurt before, or because stopping play feels harder than holding on. Sometimes it’s the toilet itself — height, noise, or lack of privacy. Holding is a protective habit rather than defiance, and it responds far better to comfort and routine than to pressure.

Occasional bedwetting is common, especially in younger children. It often relates to nighttime bladder capacity, deep sleep, or underlying constipation. The approach is to look for root causes and build skills over time — never blame.

Readiness is a cluster of signs rather than a birthday: staying dry for longer stretches, noticing when they are wet or soiled, managing simple steps independently, and showing curiosity. Physical readiness matters more than age.

It means settling the nervous system before asking the body to do something hard. A child who feels safe and calm can notice body signals, relax the right muscles, and cooperate. Skills come after regulation, not before it.

[Anna to complete] — current insurance and self-pay options for Regulated Relief.