Parents

Diabetes NSW understands that with knowledge comes confidence and support.

Please see below for useful links that may help support you and your family:

Diabetes Australia - Infoline  - 1300 136 588

JDRF - Peer Support Program  - 02 9020 6100

ReachOut

Beyondblue

Reality Check 

Headspace

Black Dog Institute   

To care for your child you must care for yourself.

Diabetes takes a lot of time and energy so it's normal to feel frustrated and tired from the constant daily demands of management.

Your emotions may change and recur (perhaps frequently) - guilt, frustration, helplessness, sadness, anger ... and elation when all goes according to plan!

• Try and talk to someone who may understand.
• Share your feelings with your partner, a friend or relative, support groups, your doctor, other health professionals such as a social worker or psychologist.
• Share diabetes-related tasks with your partner, supportive family members or friends.
• Keep in touch with your educator, as ongoing education can help you and your child at different stages.
• Don't be afraid to ask your health professional team for support and guidance.
• Encourage relatives or friends to attend education sessions and/or support groups to learn more about diabetes so that they may in turn give you support.
• Find some time for yourself. It's a worthwhile investment for the daily demands of parenting.

Camps are invaluable to help you and your child feel less isolated. In some states there are parent/child weekend camps which provide an introduction to the concept of the camping experience. These supervised diabetes camps will prepare your child for school excursions. Your child may then graduate to other camps throughout their childhood right up to adolescence.

Go to our camps page to learn more about the different types of diabetes camps.

The insulin pump is a small programmable device (about the size of a pager) that holds a reservoir of insulin. The pump is programmed to deliver insulin into the body through thin plastic tubing known as the infusion set or giving set. The pump is worn outside the body, in a pouch or on your belt.

The infusion set has a fine needle or flexible cannula that is inserted just below the skin (usually on the abdomen) where it stays in place for two to three days.

Only rapid acting insulins are used in the pump. Whenever food is eaten the pump is programmed to deliver a surge of insulin into the body similar to the way the pancreas does in people without diabetes. Between meals a small and steady rate of insulin is delivered.

The insulin pump is not suitable for everyone. So, if you’re considering using one, you must discuss it first with your diabetes health care team.

Insulin Pumps Available in Australia 

• AMSL - Animas Vibe 
• Medtronic - Minimed 640G
• Roche - Accu-Chek Combo 

To be suitable for a insulin pump therapy, you must have support from your health care team, a suitable level of hospital cover with a private health insurance fund or be eligible for a subsidy through the Australian Government Insulin Pump Programme.