Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition that requires lifelong treatment. The approach to managing diabetes in children depends on many factors, including the age of the child and the timing of the diagnosis. What works for adolescents does not work for young children. Children diagnosed with diabetes during the school year need to adapt to the new status quo and keep these guidelines in mind.
Infancy
- If a child is diagnosed with diabetes at a very young age, he or she is treated together by doctors, nutritionists, and others. These doctors can advise parents on feeding techniques and teach them how to administer insulin and monitor blood glucose levels.
- Because infants cannot tell others how they are feeling, it is important to pay special attention to the signs of hypoglycemia. Early signs of hypoglycemia in infants may include: crankiness, lethargy, poor feeding, higher than usual crying, and low body temperature.
- Any infant with type 1 diabetes should wear a medical alert bracelet to let others know about their condition.
Toddlerhood
- Because young children are often picky eaters, parents need to inform their doctor of their child’s eating habits so they can decide whether to let their child eat throughout the day or eat healthy meals and snacks regularly.
- It takes a while for parents to easily manage their child’s diabetes. Temper tantrums are common in young children, and it is important to check your child’s blood glucose levels frequently to make sure that low blood glucose is not affecting your child’s behavior.
Preschoolers
- Children at this age will not really understand why they have to pinch their finger to check their blood sugar throughout the day or why there are dietary restrictions. Parents sometimes find that their children are reluctant to cooperate and feel scared or even angry.
- Parents can teach their children to manage their condition when they are in a normal emotional state. As early as 3 years old, some children can check their own blood sugar levels. Some children can even help count the amount of carbohydrates at mealtime.
- When your child starts day care or preschool, talk to your doctor about a diabetes medical management plan to learn how your child’s diabetes should be managed. Inform your child’s caregiver or school of your child’s management plan. Because your child’s needs are different from others, describe your child’s needs in detail and inform caregivers about checking your child’s blood glucose levels, how to administer insulin, which snacks are appropriate, and how to cope with high and low blood glucose.
- It’s normal for parents to have concerns, but it’s even more important to help children realize that the condition can be managed by building their self-confidence – no parent wants a child to feel unconfident or limited by having diabetes.
School-age children
- If a school-age child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, it is normal for the child to feel anxious, even depressed, for a few weeks or months. Allow your child to take it slowly and help him or her adjust to the new situation. In time, the child will be able to take an active role in managing the condition.8 Children 8 years and older can have finger blood tests, and some children can even teach themselves how to administer insulin.
- The child’s involvement in his or her own management helps build confidence and shows the child that he or she can take care of himself or herself when parents are not around.
- Encourage your child to be active. Regular exercise can help control blood sugar. Before field trips and physical activities, inform the activity leader of your child’s health status and what to do in case of an emergency to make sure your child can go to the bathroom, eat, and drink as he or she sees fit.
- Communicate with the other child’s parents and inform them of the child’s condition before playing the game. To reassure parents, have two copies of items your child will need.
Adolescents
- Children who have reached age 12 can usually monitor blood glucose levels independently; however, as they become more independent and begin to socialize with friends, they may not actively seek help and will need parental involvement.
- As your child’s health changes during adolescence, diabetes may become difficult to control, often requiring more insulin injections. Parents need to talk to their doctor to see if the treatment plan needs to be adjusted.
Adolescents
- Teenagers are able to check their blood sugar levels and give themselves insulin, but they often prefer to keep their parents at a distance. Be sure your child consistently wears a diabetes alert bracelet or necklace.
- Talk to your child about the dangers of alcohol. It’s not uncommon for teens to drink alcohol, but it’s important for kids to know that alcohol lowers blood sugar levels. Low blood sugar is very similar to the symptoms of drunkenness. Your child should make sure that people around him or her know that he or she has diabetes.