Hi I just want to introduce myself I am mam to a 9 year son who has just been diagnosed with type 1. He is doing really well so far myself on the other hand I'm a wreak terrified of all this new carb counting and hypo s. So we just wanted to say hello and hopefully learn from you guys
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- Thread starter Oslo1
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Bronco Billy
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- Parent of person with diabetes
Hi Oslo1, welcome to the forum. I have two children with type 1 and we have carb counted for a while now. It isn’t easy and can be a pain, but try to stay focused on why you are doing it. Before long, you will be able to impress your friends by being able to guess quite accurately how many carbs are on a plate of food. It’s quite a party trick! If you haven’t got it already, I highly recommend a book called ‘Carbs and Cals, it’s also available as an app. Not only does it give the amount of carbs in many food types by weight, it also shows a picture of the food on a plate so you can judge by sight roughly how many carbs are on your son’s plate.
Carb counting, hypos and almost everything connected to looking after a type 1 child is scary at first. I promise it will get easier in time. As you become more knowledgeable, your confidence will increase and what seems difficult now will become a routine part of your daily life. Tempting though it is, try not to over-treat a hypo. You may be doing this already, but test about five to ten minutes after correcting a hypo to check the correction is working. If it isn’t, that is the time to give more glucose. What do you use to correct hypos? Don’t panic or give insulin if he goes high shortly after correcting a hypo, this is normal and the BG will usually lower of its own accord.
Has your hospital team had the opportunity to train the school staff yet?
Please feel free to ask any question you like, no question is too silly and there is a heck of a lot to learn. There is a board on the forum called ‘Parents’, which is dedicated to people like us.
Take care.
Carb counting, hypos and almost everything connected to looking after a type 1 child is scary at first. I promise it will get easier in time. As you become more knowledgeable, your confidence will increase and what seems difficult now will become a routine part of your daily life. Tempting though it is, try not to over-treat a hypo. You may be doing this already, but test about five to ten minutes after correcting a hypo to check the correction is working. If it isn’t, that is the time to give more glucose. What do you use to correct hypos? Don’t panic or give insulin if he goes high shortly after correcting a hypo, this is normal and the BG will usually lower of its own accord.
Has your hospital team had the opportunity to train the school staff yet?
Please feel free to ask any question you like, no question is too silly and there is a heck of a lot to learn. There is a board on the forum called ‘Parents’, which is dedicated to people like us.
Take care.
Hi thank you for your words of encouragement they mean a lot. The carbs and cals book I was given 1 off the hospital and they said it was my new bible and I was feeling confident with it until I was cooking potatoes I think it was and the labelling on the packet was different from the book . What would you do there. For hypo s was told to give 2 jelly babies wait 10 mins and check again. He is unable to go to school untill teachers have had training and a care plan is in place. Thank you for recommending the parent group I am also new to using anything like this but I think I noticed a user guide so will read up on that too. X
Bronco Billy
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- Parent of person with diabetes
Potatoes are one of a few foods that have different carb values depending on how they are cooked, so go with the amount in the book rather than the packet. Another thing to be wary of is that packets occasionally give the amount of carbs for the food when it is uncooked rather than cooked.
Another book you may find useful is ‘Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults’ by Ragnar Hanas. Many parents find it an invaluable guide, especially in the early stages.
Another book you may find useful is ‘Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults’ by Ragnar Hanas. Many parents find it an invaluable guide, especially in the early stages.
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