There are so many things to do and plan when you take a vacation and have a child with Type 1 Diabetes! We are already making sure that all children have their favorite bedtime snacks like popcorn. Then we try to pack some basic medications and essential oils to make our trip run smoother. Then you have to pack for the child with Type 1 Diabetes.
What do you pack for Type 1 Diabetes?
It really depends on how long you are going away and how remote your location is. We have a pretty good rule of thumb that we try to abide by when we do our vacation planning. Eldest is also NOT on an insulin pump at this time so our list of supplies might look different if he was using a pump!
Test Strips- 8 per day
Insulin- average used x 1.25 x # of days
Pen Needles– 6 per day
Syringes- handful in case insulin pen plunger goes bad or run low on insulin
Ketostix– 1 bottle
Levamir- units given +1 x # of days
Blood Glucose Meters– 2 plus batteries
CGM- Cord, extra sensor per 5 days
Zophran- whatever we have or 2 pills per 3 or 4 days
CGM Supplies- Skintac wipes and IV Prep x 2 per 5 days, waterproof band-aids, sport wrap, etc.
Juice Boxes or Fruit Snacks- 3 per day plus Protein bars
Measuring Cups and Spoons– if staying in a hotel to help estimate carbs a bit better
Plenty of low-carb and no-carb snacks like meat sticks, cheese sticks, and fresh fruit or fruit cups
How do you pack for Type 1 Diabetes?
I try to bag extra items in plastic bags to prevent them from being damaged from liquids. We also pack the Uline ice packs that we receive from insulin orders each month in coolers and cooler bags to keep insulin cold. Once we arrive at our destination we put ice packs in the freezer to keep insulin cool in the hot Summer weather.
Our T1D journey began on a cold December day with Eldest being diagnosed 12/13/14 and being in DKA! We have had many ups and downs through our journey with a T1D entering puberty and hormones and insulin colliding. Join us as we share tips to cope with T1D through our monthly newsletter.
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I will add more pictures and details as the month goes on and I think of more details worth sharing. But for now here are some more posts that should help YOU in your Type 1 Diabetes journey!
Type 1 Diabetes Facebook Support Groups
Type 1 Diabetes Rescue Boxes for Back to School
Type 1 Diabetes Supply Bags under $20
6 to 1 Insulin Ratio, Puberty and Type 1 Diabetes
How a Juice Box Saved my Type 1 Diabetic Son’s Life
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This is a real concern that I am sure most people don’t realize when dealing with Type 1 diabetes. Thank you for your insight and sharing your experience! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Thank you for sharing this helpful, practical information with the Hearth and Soul Link Party. It will make travelling much easier for those with diabetic children.
I”m so glad you shared this with the Fresh Market Friday linkup community. We never know who is looking for this kind of information to make traveling easier, and I for one believe a little bit of intention goes a long way to creating a better life for ourselves and our children.