Finding a sitter for a young child with diabetes requires special consideration. The best choice may be a teenager who also has diabetes. You can find such people through your local chapter of the American Diabetes Association.
Here's a checklist for notes to leave with the sitter. Write down:
- Where you can be reached
- Doctor's name and number
- Schedule and instructions for meals
- Schedule and instructions for snacks
- Time of insulin shots
- Dose of insulin
- Schedule and instructions for blood sugar monitoring
Trouble-Shooting
You also should leave careful instructions about:
- How to recognize signs of
hypoglycemia in a young child: List out the symptoms to watch for, such as sweating, shaking, staring, trembling, or frequent yawning. - What to do about hypoglycemia: What sources of sugar to give, where these are kept, what extra food to give as a follow-up.
- What to do if child with hypoglycemia can't eat: Call you if available, give
glucagon , call the doctor or another emergency number. - When and how to test for
ketones : Where to reach you (or the doctor) if moderate or large amounts of ketones are present.
