Kelsie Oatmen MD Casas Pediatrics Tucson AZ

As the weather warms up and kids get more active, staying hydrated is one of the simplest ways to keep them healthy and energized! But many parents ask me: “How much water should my child actually be drinking every day?”

Here is a quick guide to keep handy:
*Infants less than 6-9 months: breast milk or formula only
*Infants 9-12 months: introduce water with a sippy cup, there are health benefits of additional water at this age but they are really learning how to use a cup!
*Kids 12 months +: aim for 1 oz per kilogram of weight (reminder, pounds/2.2=kg)
***Remember, we are in a desert in the summer so especially for active older kids aim for a little more!

Why is water so important for growing bodies?

*Boosts Brain Power: Prevents fatigue, headaches, and trouble concentrating.
*Fuel for Play: Water regulates body temperature and lubricates joints
*Happy Tummies: Prevents constipation and keeps digestion running smoothly.

Skip (or limit!) the sugary juices and sodas. Introduce a fun, reusable water bottle, or add a few slices of fresh fruit (like strawberries or cucumbers) to make plain water more exciting!

I am accepting new patients at Casas Pediatrics for all your family’s questions and pediatric needs, more information:
https://casaspediatrics.com/
520-751-3675

Protect the Skin They're In!

As the weather is getting warmer, my kids have been coming home from day care more and more red! It was a reminder that sunscreen should be part of our daily routine here in Tucson. Sun protection is not just about a painful or cosmetically displeasing sunburn - its about long term health. Even one severe sunburn in childhood increases the risk of developing melanoma later in life. Below are some age based tips to keep in mind followed by the products I use for my kids!

Babies under 6 months: Shade and layers! Sunscreen is not recommended for their delicate skin, instead keep out of direct sunlight and use hats and long sleeves. If no shade is available, use a small amount of mineral sunscreen.

Toddlers and kids: Choose a broad-spectrum at least SPF 30. Especially for kids with sensitive skin, look for a mineral based sun screen with ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Apply before going outside and every 2 HR with continuous sun exposure.

Teens: Help make daily wear part of their daily routine. Choose moisturizers and daily body lotions with SPF. Look for non-comedogenic (won't clog pores) or oil free products to help prevent breakouts.

To convince my toddlers to accept daily morning sunscreen I chose a few very specific products. We use a sunscreen stick by CeraVe SPF 50 with zinc and water resistant for the face. They can even help apply on their own and no real "rub in" is needed. We use a daily wear lotion with SPF 50, water resistant, from Sun Bum that smells amazing and is not thick or greasy for quick and painless rub in.

Enjoy the sun and stay safe!

I am accepting new patients at Casas Pediatrics for all your family’s questions and pediatric needs, more information:
https://casaspediatrics.com/
520-751-3675

Happy Mother's Day. Celebrating the best thing in my life today, these three beautiful babies :) It's an honor and a privilege to help care for all of YOUR babies as well!

Can you guess who is who? Pictured are all my babies around the same age in the same towel after bath time. Answers at the bottom of the post!

Lets talk bath time! We are in all stages of bath time in the Oatmen house. From sink baths, to bath tub and the oldest will occasionally try out the shower - with a lot of assistance. Here are some things to remember for fun and safe bath time.

1. Never leave the child in the bath unassisted, especially kiddos who cannot swim. My son straight up tried to lay down in the bathtub yesterday, without warning. That's why the rule of touch supervision is so important. You should be in reach of your toddler or baby at all times. It only takes 2 in of water and 30- 60 sec for a drowning to occur.

2. Prevent slips! No standing in the bath tub. An additional rule at our house is no getting in or out of the bath tub alone - parent must be at touch supervision. Keep a rug outside the tub to dry those slippery feet and look out for water spills.

3. There are a lot of myths about "dry drowning" which may not be true. What you do need to keep in mind is that respiratory distress after a near drowning event is real. If your kiddo has a significant coughing, choking, sputtering event in the bath and later develops difficulty breathing, blue lips or other respiratory symptoms they need to be seen in the ER.

4. Be mindful of water temperature. Most water heaters are set at a max of 120 degrees. Ideal bath temperature is around 100 degrees. Use your elbow to test the temp. If it feels too hot for you, it is too hot for them.

Lastly, have fun! Bath time can be a great way to spend time playing and being creative with your kiddo. Enjoy toys, bubbles, colors, bath bombs - you name it!

Pictures: From left to right my babies are oldest to youngest (oldest daughter, son, baby girl)

I am accepting new patients at Casas Pediatrics for all your family’s questions and pediatric needs, more information:

https://casaspediatrics.com/
520-751-3675

I would LOVE to hear from all of you about how you manage spats between your kids, of all ages, or if there are any books/resources you recommend!

It has been such a blessing to watch the sibling love grow between these three. The big two are becoming excellent playmates for each other. They also both love on their baby sister with such joy and gentleness which makes me so proud. Witnessing their relationships is one of the many gifts of parenthood. I find myself, however, wondering how to continue to foster this natural connection. The big kids already fight and bicker, and I hesitate to imagine what it will look like when we eventually have three teenagers in the house :|. I picked up a new book with some good reviews focused on building healthy relationships between your kiddos. If its a good one - review to follow! But if more experienced mamas out there have any tips I would love to hear from you!

I am accepting new patients at Casas Pediatrics for all your family’s questions and pediatric needs, more information:

https://casaspediatrics.com/
520-751-3675

Because "Parent" is a 24/7 job—and we’re right there with you.

I'm Dr. Kelsie Oatmen. If my house was anything like yours this morning, it was probably a mix of lost shoes, spilled snacks, and a snotty nose or two. As a mom of three, I know that parenthood is beautiful. However, I also know it’s hectic, it’s exhausting, and sometimes, it’s plain scary.

That's why at Casas Pediatrics we are always here for you. There are no phone trees, someone is always available to talk when you need us most. You can even schedule appointments at all hours of the day using our portal app.

Being trusted with your child’s health is the highest honor I can think of. I aim to provide top-tier, quality care, but in an atmosphere that puts your family at ease—friendly, caring, and casual.

Welcome to Casas Pediatrics - It’s a privilege to partner with you in this crazy journey called parenthood. I am accepting new patients at Casas Pediatrics for all your family’s questions and pediatric needs, more information:

https://casaspediatrics.com/

520-751-3675

Believe it or not, this guy can be a picky eater! Kids enter peak picky eating between 2 and 6 years old. Young kids may use their food choices to exert control and slow growth rates at this age often curb appetites. While this picky phase is normal, we still need to be careful not to build bad habits. If a kiddo learns they can refuse dinner to get their preferred foods, then that picky toddler turns into a picky adolescent!

With a 2 and 3 year old at home we are in the thick of picky eating. The two year old is a work in progress, but the 3 year old is turning into a solid eater. Stay strong out there toddler parents, consistency counts! Below are the mealtime rules in our house, I hope this helps!
-The kids eat what we eat, we never make them a separate meal. We may add some fruit or bread we know they will eat.
-When their preferred foods have been eaten, they need to eat some of the main meal before they get more of what they want. The 3 year old needs to eat several bites, the 2 year old just needs to TRY it
- Dinner lasts 30-40 minutes tops. There is no arguing or fighting. If they try the foods they get the seconds they want. If they don't, no more food that night.
-We do give them a sippy cup of milk after dinner to fill any tummy holes.

If you are looking for a pediatrician, we would love to welcome you to our practice. I am accepting new patients at Casas Pediatrics for all your family’s questions and pediatric needs, more information:
https://casaspediatrics.com/
520-751-3675

Remember growing up and visiting your family pediatrician? They were exactly that - a doctor who knew your family personally.

There is a better option than corporate healthcare for your kids in Tucson. If your family or friends need a caring community pediatrician in Tucson who will personalize care for your family, I am accepting new patients at Casas Pediatrics today. As a University of Arizona Pediatrics graduate and local Tucson mom of three kids, I am excited to support and provide for all your
growing family's healthcare needs.

Give my team a direct call today at 520-751-3675 to set up your next visit, no corporate phone tree to navigate. Thank you for trusting me with your children's healthcare!

Girly's first manicure! Now that we are a family of 5, its harder to be intentional about spending one on one time with each child. While family time is important, I want my kids to feel sought after and loved as individuals. Dedicated attention can also increase confidence and strengthen emotional, social and communication skills.

Number one and I went for a manicure at her request! She was thrilled, absolutely living her best life. But more often our one on one time with the kids is more simple. Taking just one kiddo to run errands. Doing a special activity while the others nap. Leaving the other kids home with one parent to take a kid to swim lessons solo. At the end of the day, we all get to come together for dinner and bedtime. Hang in there all of you in the beautiful chaos and enjoy getting to know what makes all your babies special!

If you are looking for a pediatrician, we would love to welcome you to our practice. I am accepting new patients at Casas Pediatrics for all your family’s questions and pediatric needs, more information:
https://casaspediatrics.com/
520-751-3675

Our little man is 2 years old, we can't believe it! We had a football birthday party and lots of fun with friends and family :)

If you are looking for a pediatrician, we would love to welcome you to our practice. I am accepting new patients at Casas Pediatrics for all your family’s questions and pediatric needs, more information:
https://casaspediatrics.com/
520-751-3675