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Experts' Advice

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Experts' Advice to Parents of Children with Diabetes

• Help your child develop healthy eating habits.

• Maintain a regular schedule for meals and snacks.

• If your child is a fussy eater, don’t force foods. Offer different foods or beverages.

• Test blood glucose levels four times daily.

• Make sure your child has a source of sugar on hand at all times to treat low blood sugar. Glucose tablets are best.

• Make exercise a normal part of every day’s activities.

• Meet with your child’s school staff to make sure they understand the special needs of a child with diabetes. Get to know the person who is designated as being in charge of your child’s health needs.

• Don't let your child use diabetes as an excuse to avoid things or situations that may be unpleasant. Don’t you do it, either.

• Encourage full participation in academic, social, and sports activities.

• Teach babysitters and other caregivers how to use the blood glucose monitor, administer insulin, and treat hypoglycemia.

• Join parents' discussion groups or support groups to learn how others are facing the same issues that you are.

• Reassure your child - especially when they're younger - that diabetes is not their fault, and that they didn’t do anything to cause it.

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