Children and Diabetes

When your child has diabetes, it affects the entire family. Keeping up with the latest information and tools to care for a child with diabetes is a vital role for parents. Not only are there frequent advances in diabetes care, but the needs of children with diabetes can change as they get older. Managing diabetes at any age requires skill and attention.

Today, diabetes can be managed effectively, allowing kids to stay healthier and live active lives. But you and your child can't manage diabetes alone. You've got to have a team of professionals that can work with you. Your child's team may include a doctor (pediatrician, endocrinologist, family physician, internist, or nurse practitioner), a diabetes educator, a dietitian, and other specialists. It's important that you and your child are comfortable with those people that are part of the team, their level of experience in diabetes, and their approach to its treatment. Ask questions, and make sure to get answers you can understand.

Healthy eating

Your child's eating habits are an important part of managing diabetes. This may require changes of habits and healthier eating for them, and could also benefit you and the rest of your family. Creating a meal plan is a critical part of diabetes care. Four separate things have to be coordinated — what and how much your child eats, when they eat, how active they are, and their insulin schedule. Ideally, these all work together to help keep the blood sugar level within the target range.

While it sounds complicated, it can be a relief knowing that no "special" foods are required. Rather, it will be important to learn how to match the amount of foods eaten (especially carbohydrates) with the amount of insulin taken. The ideal meal for a child with diabetes isn't different than the kind of healthy meals recommended for all of us. A dietitian can help you create a meal plan that your child can enjoy.

For all children with diabetes, it's necessary to balance food intake, activity levels, and medications to maintain a healthy blood sugar level. Monitoring blood sugar levels is important to understand how these three things interact.

Another common issue is diabetes management in school or daycare settings. If your child takes insulin, it's important that caregivers know how to check your child's blood sugar and administer insulin (or glucagon in an emergency). There are several resources available to help parents develop a diabetes management plan with school or daycare personnel. See our Tools and Resources section for links to these organizations.

Keeping records

Record keeping is essential to managing your child's diabetes. This helps you understand if your child's treatment plan is keeping blood sugar levels well controlled. It also allows you to keep track of what happens to your child's blood sugar on a daily basis and during those important events like the championship baseball game or pizza Wednesdays at school.

Getting support

You've already begun the process of managing your child's diabetes. While it may seem like an overwhelming amount to learn right now, in time you'll find it all becomes second nature. Watching your child grow and take on more responsibility for their own care will be challenging, but can be gratifying.

It's important to remember you're not alone. You've got family, friends and an entire team of healthcare providers supporting you. Ask for help when you need it and don't forget to take care of yourself.

To learn more about the unique considerations for children taking insulin, see our Kids and Insulin page.