How can I involve my infant or toddler in diabetes self-care?

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 to check his blood glucose and evaluate the results, but you can give your child a voice.

If your child takes insulin, maybe he or she can choose the injection spot or the finger to poke. This is a good way for your child to get used to having a say in his or her care. It will help him or her to develop a sense of responsibility, so you can gradually let your child assume more and more of the responsibilities of diabetes care as he or she grows older.