Caring for a Child with Diabetes
Juvenile diabetes is another name for type 1 diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes make very little or no insulin. It is difficult and frustrating for children to assume full responsibility for their diabetes care until they reach the teenage years. In fact, children cannot understand something as complicated as a chronic disease, and may actually blame themselves. Help your child succeed at doing some of the basic tasks such as blood glucose checks and keeping a log book. Discuss with your health care team how flexible the schedule can be and the appropriate goals for diabetes control.
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- Q How can a babysitter manage the meals of my child with diabetes?
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Provide foods you know your child with diabetes will like. Involve your child in planning the meals and snacks to ensure he will be willing to eat what you prepare. Give a schedule and menu to the babysitter for each meal and snack, and indicate how much... Full Answer
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- Q What are good resources for parents of children with diabetes?
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Children -- especially those with type 1 diabetes -- have special needs. If your child has diabetes, you should work with his or her doctor and turn to the following resources for more help and information - the Juvenile Diabetics Research... Full Answer
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- Q How do I cope with family issues related to childhood diabetes?
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The best way to deal with diabetes in the family is to treat it openly. Explain what is happening to the other children and other family members, and ask them to be patient as you work things out. Even young children can understand simple information.... Full Answer
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- Q How can I involve my infant or toddler in diabetes self-care?
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If your child is an infant or toddler when diagnosed, you will be completely responsible for your child’s care. But you can and should still keep him involved. You will have to see that your child gets his shots at the right time, and you will have... Full Answer
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- Q How can I involve my preschooler in diabetes self-care?
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If your child with diabetes is in preschool, you are still responsible for making sure your child has healthy foods, checks blood glucose whenever necessary, and takes the right type and dose of insulin at the right time. But there is nothing wrong with... Full Answer
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- Q How should I tell the school about my child’s diabetic needs?
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Sitting down with your child’s teachers, school nurse, school administrators, and other personnel and discussing your child’s needs is important. Schools that are reluctant to accommodate a child’s diabetes needs may not actually... Full Answer
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- Q Who can help me manage my child's diabetes after the diagnosis?
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Some of the first people you’ll probably talk with are your child’s care provider and diabetes educator. In general, you will need to know how to check your child’s blood glucose, how to give insulin if needed, how to use a meal plan,... Full Answer
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- Q What should I do when my child first enters school with diabetes?
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If your child with diabetes is entering a school for the first time, meet several weeks before school starts with the school principal, school nurse, teachers, and other school personnel who will have direct contact with your child. Full Answer
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- Q What should I discuss with school personnel about my child with diabetes?
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Topics to discuss in school meetings include: Provide a brief explanation of diabetes, clarify any misconceptions, and explain the consequences of blood glucose levels that are too high or too low and the appropriate corrective actions. Find out... Full Answer
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- Q What should be my top priority when my child is diagnosed with diabetes?
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If you have a child with diabetes, your top priority will be to help your child manage the disease while trying to live as normal a life as possible. You will also want to help the rest of the family make a smooth transition into accepting the changes... Full Answer
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