Instructions For Babysitters

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.