Toddlers with diabetes are suffering from Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes or diabetes juvenile. The number of children under the age of five being diagnosed with diabetes juvenile has almost doubled in the past five years. Caring for toddlers is a challenge under the best of circumstances, and toddlers with diabetes need even more special care and attention.
First, if you are wondering whether your toddler has diabetes in the first place, here are some signs to look for:
•often complains of feeling thirsty
•hungry more often
•suddenly loses weight
•urinates more than usual, diapers more wet than usual
•occasional fruity smelling breath
If you notice any of these symptoms in your child, discuss with your doctor the possibility you have a toddler with diabetes.
You or your caregiver will have to closely monitor your child's blood sugar throughout the day to be sure it stays within a safe range. Ideally this means 6-12 mmol just before meals.
Toddlers with diabetes also require daily insulin shots, which can be traumatic for you as well as your child! When administering both finger pricks for the blood sugar tests and the insulin shots, you should be as quick and calm as possible about the procedure. If your child is playing, go where he or she is rather than having them come to you. That helps establish the procedure as just a normal part of their day.
Of course, your child will resist these procedures, and it can be hard for parents and caregivers to remember they are doing this for the child's health. It must be done, however, and you may have to learn to restrain the child gently. It also helps to give them a big hug and a kiss after it's finished to make sure they understand you still love them even though this hurt a bit.
Another problem is that toddlers with diabetes can't tell you when they are feeling the effects of low blood sugar, which is another reason for careful monitoring.
Toddlers in general can be picky eaters, and toddlers with diabetes are no different. The challenge here is in making sure that all your alternatives fit within a healthy and appropriate diabetic diet. Have as wide a selection of those foods available as possible so that when they do refuse certain foods, you can tempt them with an appropriate alternative.
Toddlers with diabetes should otherwise develop the same way, and at the same rate, as other children of their age. So as long as you take the necessary precautions to treat the diabetes, and your child seems normal in all other ways, there's no reason why he or she shouldn't be a perfectly healthy and happy child.
Traveling with diabetes requires preparation both before and during your trip. Here are 11 tips to help you make sure your diabetes doesn't interfere with the pleasures of travel.
1. Visit your doctor at least a month before you leave to make sure your diabetes is under control. If you need to do any stabilizing, a month will give you enough time. The same month should let your body settle down after any necessary immunization shots, so get those at the same time.
2. Get a letter from your doctor certifying that you are diabetic, and listing the various medications and supplies you must carry with you. Without this, you might have difficulties passing through Security at airports and international border crossings.
3. Also get a prescription for your insulin or other diabetes medication. Even though you should have enough syringes, strips and medication to last for the duration of your trip, it's always good to have a prescription in case you lose them, they become spoiled because of extreme weather conditions, or your trip lasts longer than you original planned.
4. Wear an ID bracelet announcing your have diabetes, and also carry a small card saying so in the local language of the places you will be visiting.
5. Learn to express specific diabetic requirements in the local languages. Since you probably won't know how to pronounce the words, the easiest way is to carry them on a printed card and simply point to what you want to say.
6. Pack at least twice as much medication and supplies as you think you'll need. Put half in your suitcase, and half in a special bag that never leaves your possession. The container for these supplies should be sturdy, preferably hard sided, for protection.
7. Carry a sealed pack containing hard candies or glucose tablets in case irregular eating makes your blood sugar drop too low. Your pack should also contain emergency snacks, such as crackers, cheese, fruit, juice --- in case you must wait too long between meals, which can happen when we are traveling.
8. Insulin can lose its strength in extreme temperatures, so carry your supply, as well as pills and other medication, in a thermally insulated bag.
9. Carry bandages and first-aid cream, comfortable walking shoes and protective beach shoes. Your feet neet extra special care while you're traveling.
10. While on your trip, check your blood sugar more often than usual. Many factors, such as fluctuating temperatures and changing time zones, can cause wild swings in your blood sugar levels. If you check often, you'll be better able to take corrective action as needed.
As long as you take sensible precautions to care for your diabetes, there's no reason why it needs to stand in the way of a happy travel experience. Bon voyage!
