For Parents Of Newly Diagnosed Diabetic Children

When a child has just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, the parents may feel overwhelmed by all they have to learn and do to effectively manage the disease. The doctor is likely to give the parents detailed instructions on how to check blood glucose levels, when and how much insulin to administer, and how to give insulin injections. The parents will probably be required to meet with a dietician for a diabetic diet for the child. It’s easy to see how all this new information and responsibility can be overwhelming. There are some simple steps that the parents can take to make the new diagnosis easier to handle.

Educating themselves on living with diabetes is one of the first steps towards accepting the diagnosis. There is a lot of excellent information on type 1 diabetes available on the Internet. In addition to Internet resources, a local support group may be available. Diabetes support groups provide a source of information and mutual support for parents of children with type 1 diabetes.

Some hospitals offer classes about managing diabetes. These classes can be a wealth of information for parents of a newly diagnosed child. Often, the more the parents are educated about type 1 diabetes and when they meet others who are going through the same situation, the less overwhelmed they may feel.

In addition to knowing how to manage the routine management of type 1 diabetes, parents need to know the signs of low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia. The parents should ask the doctor for the warning signs, how to treat hypoglycemia, and when to seek emergency medical attention. If recommended by the doctor for treatment of hypoglycemia, the parents should always have glucose tablets on hand.

The dietician can give the parents tips on helping the child adjust to a diabetic diet. A parent may be surprised by how well a child takes to the new diet as long as the healthy food is appealing to children. The dietician can make recommendations for child-friendly foods that will meet the requirements of the diabetic diet. The transition to a diabetic diet can be even easier if the child enjoys helping in the kitchen and is able to help the parents prepare the new meals and snacks.

Some parents struggle with the pricking of the fingers for blood glucose monitoring and administering insulin injections. First of all, a young child may have difficulty accepting the need for these painful experiences. Some parents have found that giving rewards afterwards helps a young child learn to accept these necessary intrusions. This is another area in which a support group for parents of diabetic children may be helpful.