Caring for the little children with diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes can affect children as young as toddlers under five. It is known as diabetes juvenile or juvenile diabetes. Their number has almost doubled during the last five years. While diabetes patients naturally need care, toddlers having diabetes require much more attention and care.

What are the symptoms?

There are certain symptoms that characterise the presence of diabetes in toddlers. Hence, you can look for them if you suspect diabetes in your toddler.

Extreme thirst and hunger, sudden loss of weight, excessive urination or diapers wetter than normal as well as an occasional fruity smell in their breath are some of the common symptoms.

In case you notice any such symptoms in your toddler, you should discuss it with your physician.

What special challenges you have to face?

Either your caregiver or you are now required to monitor closely the blood sugar of your child through the entire day so that you can be sure that it is in the safe range, that is, 6-12 mmol before having a meal.

Toddlers suffering from diabetes need insulin shots daily. While this can be quite traumatic for your child, it can be so for you too. Therefore, when you are taking blood for sugar test as well as for insulin shots, you should remain as calm and quick as possible. In case your kid is playing, you should go to him or her instead of calling the child to you. You should try to make it appear to be as normal as possible.

The child will not be so fond of all these procedures and it can be painful for both the child as well as the parents. However, simply remember that you are doing for your child’s health. It has to be done and hence, you should learn how to restrain your child gently. When it is finished, make sure you give them a kiss and hug so that they know that you love them in spite of it hurting a bit.

One more problem with children having diabetes is that they will not be able to tell you if they are experiencing any low blood sugar symptoms. Therefore, they need to be more carefully monitored. Generally, toddlers are a lot who are picky eaters. Hence, you cannot expect diabetic toddlers to be any different. Therefore, you should make sure you have a wide selection from which you can make them eat healthily and appropriately even if they turn down certain foods.

As long as you take the proper care, there is no reason why diabetic toddlers cannot develop in the same manner and rate as any normal child of a similar age.