Managing diabetes is always hard for a child, but the challenge increases when the child is away from home. At home, he has a supply of insulin in the fridge, test trips in the cupboard and may have several different lancet pens left over from the search for the least painful way to poke his fingers. When a child goes to school, daycare or a friend's house, or travels for vacation, he must take his diabetes supplies with him in a diabetic bag.
Purpose
A diabetic bag keeps all of your child's diabetic supplies safe and convenient in one travel case she can take everywhere. Because most insulin vials require refrigeration, a diabetic bag keeps the vials cool and cushioned. A diabetic bag is not designed to store food and drink, but it can hold glucose tablets for hypoglycemic insulin reactions.
Medical Supplies
Your child's diabetic bag should securely hold all of his child's diabetic supplies. Bags designed just for this purpose have cool packs for the insulin and syringes. Some bags have packs that stay cool for as many as 45 hours, even in temperatures up to 100 degrees. Many bags have specific compartments for lancets, blood glucose meters, alcohol swab packets, and even pump supplies if your child wears an insulin pump.
Style
Diabetic bags come in many styles. Some bags resemble insulated lunch bags, while others look like small shoulder bags or travel organizers. They usually come in basic, solid colors. Bags designed especially for children have fun patterns and colors, with different styles for boys and girls. They mimic non-medical carrying cases the average child might carry to school, like purse clutches, fanny packs, messenger bags and portable CD organizers.
Tips
Your child should only use the diabetic bag when away from home to keep from the leaving the supplies out of the bag after use. He may need a checklist or daily reminder to keep his bag stocked with his medical supplies and to refreeze his cool packs overnight. Because your child may forget to bring his bag to school one day, a diabetic bag does not replace the need for the school to keep his insulin and glucose tablets on hand in the nurse's office.
