Kelsie Oatmen MD Casas Pediatrics Tucson AZ

Kelsie Oatmen MD  Casas Pediatrics Tucson AZ Current Board Certified Pediatrician, Former University of Arizona Chief Pediatric Resident, Wife, and Mother Serving the Tucson AZ Community

Back-to-School Woes: Illness or Stress? Bonus: My preschooler's first day of school pictures!As kids settle into the new...
08/18/2026

Back-to-School Woes: Illness or Stress?
Bonus: My preschooler's first day of school pictures!

As kids settle into the new school year, it’s common for physical complaints to pop up. But is it a bug going around the classroom, or first-month nerves? Here is how to tell the difference and when to check in with us!

Back-to-School Illnesses: Look out for clear physical indicators of an infection
-Fever: temperature of or above 100.4 F
-Illness Symptoms: coughing, congestion, sore throat, vomiting
-Systemic Signs: fatigue or poor appetite

Back-to-School Stress & Anxiety: frequently manifests as real physical discomfort
-Stomachaches & Headaches: often on weekday mornings but gone on weekends
-Behavioral Clues: Trouble falling asleep, irritability, clinginess, emotional
-Normal Vitals: No fever, normal appetite and energy, no physical infection signs

When to See Your Pediatrician
-High or Persistent Fever (5 days or more)
-Concerns for work of breathing
-Dehydration concerns
-Disruptive stress symptoms that cause your child to miss school regularly, interfere with sleep, or don't improve with reassurance.

Not sure which one your child is experiencing? Give our office a call! 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

Summer has officially come to an end! We finished out summer with a trip to Michigan to visit family. Our kids were wild...
08/05/2026

Summer has officially come to an end! We finished out summer with a trip to Michigan to visit family. Our kids were wild and free out on the lakes! My oldest is starting preschool and I'm getting my first taste of packing lunches and school drop off. Hope everyone had a fun and safe summer.

Remember to stop in for your well visit and/or sports physical before the school year ramps up!

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 4th of July from the Oatmen Family! I hope you are all having a fun and safe holiday weekend!
07/05/2026

Happy 4th of July from the Oatmen Family! I hope you are all having a fun and safe holiday weekend!

With the weather heating up, pool days are in full swing! However, safety always needs to be top priority in the water. ...
06/25/2026

With the weather heating up, pool days are in full swing! However, safety always needs to be top priority in the water. The gold standard of pool safety is using multiple layers of protection. These should be non negotiable safety precautions; think not only of your own home but wherever your kids spend time (grandparents, babysitters, friends, etc).

Here is how you can create a "safety web" for your family this summer:

Active Supervision (The Most Important Layer!)
Assign a "Water Watcher": Designate one adult whose only job is to watch the pool. No phones, no reading, no chatting, and no drinking alcohol.

Touch Supervision: For toddlers and weak swimmers, an adult should always be in the water within arm's reach.

Physical Barriers
Four-Sided Fencing: Ensure your pool is enclosed by a fence at least 4 feet high that separates the pool from the house and yard.

Self-Closing & Self-Latching Gates and Doors: Check that safety latched on the pool gate and doors leading from the house to the pool are securely out of a child’s reach.

Alarms: Install alarms on your house doors leading to the pool, on the pool gate, or even a subsurface pool alarm.

Work on the Skills
Swim lessons are a great way to get your swimmer up to speed. And remember, while ISR is a life saving tool, it does not replace the safety precautions above!

Enjoy your pool time and my babies in some of their first water experiences! Pics are in order of my oldest to my youngest. You can clearly tell who did NOT love the water at first!

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 See less

As the weather warms up and kids get more active, staying hydrated is one of the simplest ways to keep them healthy and ...
06/03/2026

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 ...
05/28/2026

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 pri...
05/10/2026

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 t...
05/07/2026

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 book...
04/26/2026

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...
04/24/2026

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

Address

1925 W. Orange Grove, Ste. 109
Tucson, AZ
85704

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Friday 8am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Sunday 8am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+15207513675

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