Tips for Parents
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For a Quick Snooze
Sony has a dream machine clock radio with a nap feature that I couldn't live without. You can set for 10, 20, 30, 60, 90 or 120
minutes. It's perfect for the midnight madness or a few winks
before the school bus arrives. Pumping Tips
wearing an insulin pump
Give yourself a quick break
I keep a calculator next to the scale in the top draw. It gives my brain a
rest, even if it's only for a moment.
Food Related: Leftovers
I store leftovers in the refrigerator with either the nutritional facts from
the packaging cut out, or a little post-it note with the serving size and carbs taped to the lid. This is
for an easy grab at meal time. No questioning the amount of carbohydrates or serving size!
Food Related: Stevia, Xylitol and Nuva are alternatives to Saccharin, Aspartame and Sucralose
An alternative sugar substitute to
Saccharin, Aspartame and Sucralose is Stevia which is a natural sweetener with
zero carbohydrates.
Xylitol 1 teaspoon = 4g of carbohydrates. It's found naturally in fruits and vegetables.
Nuva is 100% natural with zero calories, artificial ingredients and
glycemic index. 1/2 teaspoon = 2 g of total carbs. Nuva contains
Erythrytol, a natural sweetener derived from fruits, Inulin, a natural
fiber that helps digestion and Stevia Rebaudiana, a plant that has been
used as a natural sweetener throughout the world for centuries.We
purchased this product in our local health food store.
Counting carbohydrates in school
"When our son goes to school (he is going into grade 2) we label his lunches with corresponding dot stickers (red for lunch, blue for morning snack, green for afternoon snack and yellow for "free" snacks). We write the food and carb amounts in a book and his teachers can read what the carbs are (so can he). The book also provides a great resource to correspond with teachers as his numbers are recorded each day. At the age of 6 he was already on the pump and entering his own sugar and carb levels."
Diabetes Coaching While Away From Home
Here's a bit about what Gary Scheiner and his team can do for kids looking for long distance coaching.
Living on your own for the first time can be challenging for anyone, particularly when you have diabetes. In fact, most significant blood sugar control problems arise during the first 3-6 months of living independently. If your child will be leaving home for college, boarding school, or any other destination for an extended period of time, expert diabetes coaching services are available via phone and the internet. Integrated Diabetes Services’ team of CDEs (all of whom have type-1 diabetes) have provided this service for years, and it has been a tremendous comfort to concerned parents and resource to growing kids. Your child will have an opportunity to prepare for what’s ahead of them and learn how to manage their diabetes effectively in an independent situation. CDEs are available to answer questions, offer helpful tips, review self-monitoring records (via pump, meter and CGM downloads) on a regularly scheduled basis, and fine-tune insulin doses in order to achieve safe control. Call 877-735-3648 or visit www.integrateddiabetes.com for more information.
Emergency Room Visit
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Excellent Blood Sugar Control
Our endocrinologist at Boston Children's Hospital has had diabetes herself
since she was a young child. Some of the best advice she gave my son was to subtract the fiber grams from the total carbohydrates and then add half the protein grams. She also advised Dan to take insulin twenty minutes before eating (unless his blood sugar level was already low). She explained that protein actually raises blood sugars, but more slowly than simple or complex carbohydrates. This formula allows her to keep excellent blood sugar control, and it has worked wonderfully for my son.
iphone CarbsControl
My 5 year-old son is newly diagnosed and we are counting carbohydrate challenged. Just discovered an "app" for our iphone called, "CarbsControl". It is a TIMESAVER! Especially when eating out or on the go. It has many of the restaurants we visit listed with carb counts for event the kids' meals!!!! It also lists many "brand name" foods. It is impressive! Hope you find it useful!
Exercise Related: Swimming & Pumping
Johnson & Johnson has a large water block (plus) band-aid that is 100%
water proof. It shields out water, dirt and germs. Cover the inset with this
big patch to keep it from slipping off as well as sand-free. We have used this bandage to cover JoJo & Nick's inset for years. It works like a charm.
Exercise Related: Rainy Days
On rainy days when the kids can't go outside to play they can still get exercise. At our house we use the tread mill. It's a great way to get some exercise (with supervision of course) and stay dry.
Overnight Visits
a. Have him/her follow the overnight routine you use at home (ex. midnight or 2 a.m. BG checks); b. Locate your child’s bed in or near the caregiver’s bedroom (if appropriate); c. If in an adjacent bedroom, keep the doors open and; d. If your sanity requires it, set your own alarm to call the caregiver at 2 a.m. (yucko!)
Birthday Party Tip
Travel Related: Airport Security
Hey there... If your next trip involves flying, you may find this info
helpful. A lot has changed in airport security in recent years, so being
prepared can save you a lot of hassle at the checkpoint!
The information
below is excerpted from the guidelines for travelers with type 1
diabetes provided by the TSA. Before leaving for your trip, you may
want to check the TSA website, and call your airline for additional
information.
* Inform the Security Officer that your child has type 1
diabetes and you are carrying supplies with you.
* Inform the Security
Officer if you think your child may become upset during the screening process.
* Offer suggestions on how to best accomplish the screening to minimize any
confusion or outburst for the child.
* Know that at no time during the
screening process will you be separated from your child.
* Know that if a
private screening is required, you should escort and remain with your child
during the private screening process.
* The following type 1
diabetes-related supplies and equipment are allowed through the checkpoint once
they have been screened:
- insulin and insulin loaded dispensing
products (vials or box of individual vials, jet injectors, pens, infusers, and
preloaded syringes);
- unlimited number of unused syringes when
accompanied by insulin or other injectable medication;
- lancets,
blood glucose meters, blood glucose meter test strips, alcohol swabs,
meter-testing solutions;
- insulin pump and insulin pump supplies
(cleaning agents, batteries, plastic tubing, infusion kit, catheter, and
needle);
- glucagon emergency kit;
- urine ketone test
strips;
- unlimited number of used syringes when transported in Sharps
disposal container or other similar hard-surface container.
- Sharps
disposal containers or similar hard-surface disposal container for storing used
syringes and test strips.
- Insulin in any form or dispenser must be
clearly identified.
* If you are concerned or uncomfortable about your
child going through the walk-through metal detector with an insulin pump, notify
the screener that your child would like a full-body pat-down and a visual
inspection of the pump instead.
* Advise the screener that the insulin pump
cannot be removed because it is inserted with a catheter (needle) under the
skin.
* Insulin pumps and supplies must be accompanied by insulin.
*
Advise screeners if your child is experiencing low blood sugar and is in need of
medical assistance.
* You have the option of requesting a visual inspection
of your insulin and type 1 diabetes associated supplies.
If you
encounter problems with the screening process, ask to speak with the TSA
security supervisor. You can report problems encountered while traveling by
calling the TSA Consumer Response Center toll free at 1-866-289-9673.
Now... sit back, relax and enjoy your flight!
