You just learned your child has type 1 diabetes. This can be a stressful time. You may feel overwhelmed about what to do next. This is some basic information to help you understand diabetes. You will learn more at your first diabetes clinic visit.

What Is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes means that your child’s body does not make insulin to use the food that they eat for energy.

• Insulin is needed by the body to use food for energy.
• When the body cannot make insulin, the body cannot use the food we eat for energy. The body cannot live long without insulin.

Type 1 Diabetes Is Not:

• anyone’s fault.
• caused by what or how much you eat.
• something you get from someone.
• the same as type 2 diabetes.
  • Type 2 diabetes is when the body doesn’t make enough insulin or the insulin it makes does not work well.
  • Type 2 diabetes can sometimes be managed through diet and lifestyle changes. These will not help with Type 1 diabetes.

Bring your child to the Emergency Department right away if your child:

• seems confused or does not seem to understand what you are saying.
• is throwing up, feels like throwing up and cannot drink fluids.
• seems very tired or is hard to wake up.

How Will Diabetes Be Managed?

There are 3 major tasks that need to be done each day:

1. Check blood sugars.
2. Count carbohydrates.
3. Give insulin.

We will teach you how to do all 3 things at your first Diabetes clinic visit.

Check Blood Sugars

Your child will need to have their blood sugar checked throughout the day. For most this is about 6 times in 24 hours. You will not need to do this until after their first Diabetes Clinic visit. Your child’s blood sugars should stay in a safe range for this short time.

Checking blood sugar helps:

• figure out how much insulin to give.
• find out if they are in a safe blood sugar range.

Count Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates (carbs) are found in almost all foods. They are part of the food that becomes sugar in the blood. The amount of carbs an item has can be found on a nutrition label.

Counting carbs helps:

• track the number of carbs eaten.
• balance how much insulin will be needed.

Give Insulin

Your child will use 2 types of insulin. Both types of insulin are given as a shot under the skin.

• Long-acting insulin is given once a day and lasts for 24 hours.
• Rapid-acting insulin is given at mealtimes to cover carbs and treat high blood sugars.

Before your first diabetes clinic visit, you may be told to visit an urgent care or emergency room once a day. This is to get your child the long-acting insulin shots they need. At your first Diabetes clinic visit, you will learn how to give insulin at home.

To Learn More:

Read “Getting ready for your first Diabetes clinic visit”.