The Role of Insulin Therapy in Paediatric Type 1 Diabetes Management
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For children diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), insulin therapy is not optional — it’s essential. Their pancreas can no longer produce insulin, the hormone that allows glucose to enter cells for energy. Without insulin, blood sugar levels rise dangerously, leading to short- and long-term complications.
While insulin therapy is a medical necessity, it’s also deeply personal. Every child’s needs, routines, and feelings about their care are different. In this guide, we explain what insulin therapy looks like for children, how families can navigate it with confidence, and where tools like Glowcose can provide calm, connected support.
Why Children with T1D Need Insulin
In T1D, the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This means your child must get insulin from an external source to survive.
Insulin helps:
- Regulate blood sugar levels
- Convert food into energy
- Prevent serious complications like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
- Support healthy growth and development
Insulin therapy is about more than “injecting medicine” — it’s about mimicking what the pancreas should do naturally and helping your child live a full, active life.
Types of Insulin Therapy
There are several types of insulin, and most children will need a combination to keep blood sugar steady.
Rapid-acting insulin
Starts working within 10–15 minutes and peaks quickly. Given before meals.
Long-acting insulin
Releases slowly over time to maintain background insulin throughout the day and night.
Intermediate and mixed insulins
Used less frequently in children but sometimes helpful depending on individual needs and routines.
Your paediatric diabetes team will help determine the best plan, often starting with basal-bolus therapy (a mix of long-acting and mealtime insulin).
Methods of Insulin Delivery
Insulin Injections (MDI)
Multiple daily injections (MDI) are a common starting point. This involves using a pen or syringe to deliver insulin into the fatty layer beneath the skin, typically in the arm, thigh, tummy, or buttocks.
Insulin Pumps
Pumps deliver insulin continuously through a small cannula inserted under the skin. This allows for more flexibility and fine-tuning, especially for children with changing routines or sensitive responses.
Insulin pumps are often paired with Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) for a complete picture of blood sugar control.
Routines Built Around Insulin
For young children, insulin therapy often revolves around:
- Mealtimes — rapid-acting insulin before meals
- Bedtime — checking levels and possibly giving long-acting insulin
- Activity planning — adjusting doses or snacks for sport or play
- Illness and growth — adjusting doses as children change
These routines can feel overwhelming at first, but with support, many families build systems that become second nature.
Managing the Emotional Side of Insulin Therapy
It’s natural for children and parents to feel a wide range of emotions about injections or pump changes. Fear, frustration and fatigue are common.
Here are a few ways to help:
- Give choices when possible (e.g., “Do you want to inject in your arm or leg?”)
- Use distraction (music, videos, breathing exercises)
- Stay calm — your child takes cues from your tone and body language
- Celebrate little wins: “You were really brave today.”
- Involve children in their care as they grow, at a pace that feels right
How Glowcose Supports Insulin Therapy
Insulin therapy and blood sugar monitoring go hand in hand. Tools like Glowcose integrate with CGMs to give families a clear, calming view of what’s happening, without the noise and disruption of traditional alarms.
Children might not understand what 3.4 or 7.2 or 11.9 glucose levels are, but what they do understand are colours.
Glowcose changes colour to reflect your child’s glucose levels in real time. It can help you:
- Time insulin doses more confidently
- Spot patterns (e.g., frequent overnight lows)
- Feel reassured, especially during sleep or time apart
Explore Glowcose to see how it complements your child’s insulin routine and offers peace of mind day and night.
FAQs: Insulin Therapy for Children
How often will my child need insulin each day?
Most children start on multiple daily injections: rapid-acting insulin before meals and long-acting once or twice a day. That typically means 4–5 injections per day. Some families switch to an insulin pump for greater flexibility. Your child’s schedule will be personalised based on age, size, diet, and activity.
Are insulin pumps better than injections?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Pumps offer continuous delivery and finer adjustments, and can reduce highs and lows. They eliminate multiple daily injections but require maintenance and site changes. Pens are simpler for some families. Discuss options with your care team to find what suits you best.
What happens if we miss an insulin dose?
Missing insulin, especially rapid-acting insulin before meals, can cause blood sugar to rise quickly. Missing long-acting insulin may raise levels over several hours and increase the risk of DKA. If you realise a dose was missed, contact your diabetes team or follow your sick day or correction plan. CGMs and tools like Glowcose can help alert you to rising glucose before it becomes serious.
Will insulin therapy affect my child’s growth or development?
No — proper insulin therapy is essential for healthy growth and development. Without it, children with T1D can become underweight, fatigued, or unwell. When managed well, insulin allows your child to grow, play, learn and thrive.
Can children give their own injections?
Yes, depending on age and maturity. Many children begin participating in their own care around age 7–10, though some start earlier or later. Begin by involving them in small tasks and build up to independence over time. Encouragement and praise help considerably.
What should I do if my child is scared of injections?
It’s completely normal. Use distraction (TV, toys), calming breathing, or reward charts. Offer choices where possible and stay consistent — familiarity reduces fear. Over time many children grow more confident and accept injections as routine.
Does insulin cause weight gain?
Not inherently, but starting insulin therapy can sometimes result in weight gain, especially if blood sugars were high for some time pre-diagnosis. This often reflects the body returning to a healthy state. Encourage balanced meals and regular activity and speak to your care team if you’re concerned.
Can insulin doses change over time?
Absolutely. Insulin needs change with age, activity, growth spurts, puberty, illness and even seasons. Regular reviews with your diabetes team are important. Many families use insulin-to-carb ratios and correction factors to fine-tune doses, which becomes easier with experience and CGM data.
Final Thoughts
Insulin therapy is the cornerstone of managing Type 1 Diabetes in children. While it can feel daunting at first, with the right support and tools, families quickly become confident in routines that help their child thrive.
Remember: this is a journey and you’re not walking it alone. Paediatric diabetes teams, support networks, and innovations like Glowcose are here to lighten the load.
Discover how Glowcose enhances your child’s insulin therapy with gentle, real-time colour alerts, bringing calm clarity into every day (and night).
Paul @ Lewcose