T1D Wave Rider, London (2026)

14/04/2026

The 15/15 rule is a lifesaver for teaching how to treat lows, 15 g fast carbs, wait 15 minutes, recheck. Simple. Memorable. Safe.

But here's the part every T1D parent learns quickly:

Not every child needs 15 g.

✨ Babies and toddlers may only need 1-3g
✨ School age kids often need 5-10g
✨ Teens may need 15-30g
✨ Activity, insulin on board, body size, metabolism, insulin sensitivity or resistance, hormones, digestive speed, rate of glucose drop, illness and stress all change the picture.

The rule gives us a framework- treat fast, recheck, adjust- but your child's body tells you what actually works.

There's no "breaking the rule."
There's only personalising it for your child or teen. 💙

11/04/2026

When a child is diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, it's easy to focus on numbers, insulin, and routines.

But what truly shapes their long term relationship with T1D? TRUST

When children feel involved, not controlled, everything changes:
✨ They communicate more openly
✨ They feel safer and less anxious
✨ They build confidence in managing their diabetes
✨ They learn with you, not against you

So how do we build trust?

☑ Give safe choices
"Which finger today?"
"Where should we put your pod?"
"Juice or sweets for your hypo?"

☑ Talk to them (even from very young)
Explain why you're doing things, they understand more than we think

☑ Stay calm when numbers aren't perfect
Swap blame for: "Let's figure this out together"

☑ Involve them in decisions as they grow
Small choices now = confident independence later

These little moments say something powerful: "This is your body, and you are a part of this."

And that's what builds:
➡ Confidence
➡ Independence
➡ A healthier relationship with T1D into adulthood

Because the goal isn't perfect numbers...
It's raising a child who feels confident living with T1D 💙

📎 Head to T1D Wave Rider (Emotional Well Being section) to read more about how Trust and Communication are the keys to building confidence in children with T1D

08/04/2026

Overcorrecting in Type 1 Diabetes?

Whether you're a parent, a teen, or living with Type 1 Diabetes yourself, that urge to fix it NOW is real.

Low? Grab more sugar.
High? Add more insulin

But here's what's really happening...
-> You treat a low...but your sensor is running behind
-> You correct a high...but insulin is already working
-> You act again too soon...and suddenly you're on the blood sugar rollercoaster

The truth:
* Fast acting carbs take time
* Insulin can take up to 3-4 hours
* CGMs can lag 5-15 minutes behind real blood glucose
* Your pump may already be adjusting in the background

So when you step in too quickly...you're often doubling up on what's already happening.

What can help?
* Follow the 15 minute rule for hypos
* Pause before correcting again
* Check insulin on board
* Look at trends, not just numbers
* Trust your pump to do its job
* If in doubt, finger prick to confirm BG

Sometimes the hardest (but most helpful) thing to do...is wait.

For more simple strategies that actually work in real life, head over to T1D Wave Rider (Day to Day Management). Link in Bio.

Pump

31/03/2026

School breaks hit differently when you're parenting a child with Type 1 Diabetes.

Yes, there's the juggle, the noise, the snacks every five minutes...But there's also something else.

Relief.

Relief that you're the one watching their numbers.
Relief that you don't have to second guess what's happening during the day.
Relief that for a little while, diabetes feels more in your control again.

Even when you know they'll be okay at school or nursery...That quiet "what if?" never full leaves, does it?

If you've ever walked away from the school gate feeling:
* a knot in your chest
* worried about tech failing when you're not there
* anxious about them having a hypo

You're not the only one.

We've shared a new guide on T1D Wave Rider talking honestly about:
* The anxiety of sending your child into school
* The hidden exhaustion parents carry
* And simple ways to make it feel more manageable

Does this feeling resonate with you?

Head to the link in bio to read now. Find it in the Emotional Well-being, Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of T1D section.

26/03/2026

Around the world, children with Type 1 diabetes are being held back by barriers that have nothing to do with their health — and everything to do with where they live, what their family can afford, or whether they have the right phone.

CGMs. Pumps. Hybrid closed‑loop systems.
These tools save lives.
But access to them is far from equal.

Here’s what this looks like in the UK — and why it matters everywhere:

📍 Some regions offer full access to diabetes tech
📍 Others delay or restrict it
💷 Some families can’t afford the smartphone needed to run the system
📶 Data poverty blocks remote monitoring
🏫 Schools ban phones needed for medical alerts
🌐 Language and cultural barriers stop families getting support

This isn’t a “UK problem.”
It’s a global pattern and children and teenagers are paying the price.

Every child and teenager with T1D deserves the same chance to stay safe, learn, sleep, play, and grow without unnecessary risk.

👉 Read the full article — link in bio (T1D Research section).
Let’s talk about the change children deserve.

25/03/2026

Where you inject insulin matters more than you think...

If your child has Type 1 Diabetes, using the same spot over and over can quietly cause problems. 👇

⚠ Scar tissue + insulin build up (lipohypertrophy)
⚠ Insulin not absorbing properly
⚠ Unexplained highs (or random lows)
⚠ Insulin that suddenly "stops working"

👉 Over time, this can make diabetes management much harder than it needs to be.

💡 The fix? SITE ROTATION

Rotating injection (or pump) sites:
✔ Helps insulin absorb properly
✔ Keeps blood sugars more predictable
✔ Allows skin to heal
✔ Reduces long term complications

Best Places to Inject:
✨Tummy- fastest absorption
✨ Arms- also fast absorption
✨ Thighs- slower absorption
✨ Upper bottom- slow & steady absorption

Better rotation= better absorption= smoother days.

👉 Want to know more about the best places to inject and how to rotate properly? Head to T1D Wave Rider for the full guide (Newly Diagnosed/ Understanding T1D section).

20/03/2026

When little ones ask..."what's that?"

If you're a parent of a toddler with Type 1, you've probably had that moment...

Another child points at your child's pump or sensor and asks:
"Why do they have that?"
"What's that on their arm?"

And suddenly, you're explaining diabetes to a 3 year old.

Here are some simple, toddler friendly ways to explain it.

Simple & Playful Explanations
"It's their robot helper"
"It helps their body do its job, like a tiny robot!"

"It gives their body the right fuel"
"Like when cars need petrol, this helps their body get energy."

"It's their superhero tool"
"It helps them stay strong so they can run and play!"

"It checks how their body is feeling"
Great for CGMs
"It tells us if they need a snack or medicine"

Food Based Explanations
"Their body needs help with sugar"
"So this helps keep their sugar just right."

"It helps their body use food properly"
"So they have energy to play and grow!"

Gentle, Reassuring Explanations
"It doesn't hurt, it helps"
Great when kids look worried

"Everyone's body is a bit different"
"This is just what helps their body."

Encouraging Kindness & Inclusion
"They can still do everything you can do"
"This just helps them along the way."

"You can still play together!"
Reassures other children instantly

* You don't need a perfect explanation.
* You don't need to say everything.
* You're just helping build understanding, one tiny conversation at a time.

And the best part?
Kids usually just say "oh okay"... and run off to play.

Teach kindness
Normalise differences.
Raise a generation that just gets it.

18/03/2026

Not all battles are visible.

Behind every "normal" school day is constant thinking, calculating, correcting, and pushing through exhaustion.

This is what teenagers with Type 1 Diabetes do every single day, while still trying to just be a kid.

If you know a teen living this life, remind them: We see you. You're doing amazing.

Is this relatable to your teen?

17/03/2026

Autoimmune Awareness Month

As a parent of a teenager with Type 1 Diabetes and hypothyroidism, this month feels personal.

T1D is an autoimmune condition and it often doesn't come alone.

Around 1 in 4 young people with T1D (~20-27%) will develop at least one additional autoimmune condition.

The most common ones in children and teens are:
* Thyroid conditions ~ 17-30%
* Coeliac disease ~ 6-10%
* Others (less common) Addison's disease, autoimmune gastritis

What this means:
Children and teens aren't just managing blood sugars, they may also be navigating gluten-free diets, hormone imbalances, fatigue, or additional medical appointments.

This is why regular screening matters.

This month is about awareness, but also understanding, support, and making these invisible challenges seen.

Let's support, screen, and speak about it more.

16/03/2026

For many teens, grabbing a drink on the way to school, before sports practice, or while studying is just a part of everyday life. But if you live with T1D, what's in that drink can make a big difference to your glucose levels.

It's not usually the caffeine that causes the biggest spikes, it's the hidden carbs in syrups, milks, and sweetened drinks. Some popular coffee drinks can contain 40-60g of carbs.

You don't have to skip coffee runs with friends. Small choices like:
* choosing simpler drinks
* asking for fewer syrup pumps
*picking the right milk
*knowing which teas are naturally carb free

Can make your caffeine hit much easier to manage.

In our latest guide we break down:
~ How caffeine can affect glucose levels
~ Best coffees and teas for more stable BG levels
~ Which milk spikes glucose more
~ What to order at coffee chains
~ Sneaky high sugar drinks to watch out for

Because teens with diabetes deserve to focus on school, sports, friends, and busy lives, not just blood sugars.

Read the full guide via the link in bio in our Teen Years/ Independent Management section.

14/03/2026

Adhesive patches can make a huge difference when you're living with Type 1 Diabetes. When sensors and pods feel secure, it's one less thing to worry about during school, sports, swimming and everyday life. ⛹️‍♂️🏊🤸‍♀️

But let's be honest, buying overlay patches for devices like the Dexcom G6 or G7, FreeStyle Libre or Omnipod can get expensive when you're changing them regularly.

We've got great tips on how to make your own waterproof sensor and pod adhesives at home using skin safe materials similar to those used in commercial patches. It's a simple way to save money while helping keep diabetes devices secure.

Find more on:
* The best medical grade adhesive materials to use
* Options you can find easily
* How to create your own patches step by step
* Tips for making them breathable, waterproof and comfortable

Find the full guide in our Tech Reviews and Comparisons section (Wearable Tech and Accessories) now.

📎 Link in bio

10/03/2026

There is often one unsung hero in a child's school day when they live with Type 1 Diabetes.

It might be a teaching assistant, school nurse, or teacher- the person who quietly checks in, helps treat a hypo, offers reassurance, and understands when blood sugars just aren't cooperating.

For many children and teens with T1D, this person becomes a trusted lifeline during the school day.

But their role goes far beyond treating lows. They provide empathy, support growing independence in teenagers, and work alongside parents to help children manage diabetes safely at school.

In our latest article on T1D Wave Rider (Day to Day Management/ Navigating School) we talk about:
* Why this role is so important
* How their support changes as children grow into teens
* How parents can help support the person supporting their child.

Because managing Type 1 Diabetes at school is truly a team effort.

Read the full article via the link in bio.

What has helped most to make a difference in your child or teens school diabetes journey?

T1D Wave Rider

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