{"id":1846,"date":"2022-02-08T11:42:29","date_gmt":"2022-02-08T11:42:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pemc-florida\/?p=1846"},"modified":"2026-02-05T16:10:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T16:10:39","slug":"how-to-check-blood-sugar-in-your-child","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pemc-florida\/how-to-check-blood-sugar-in-your-child\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Check Blood Sugar in Your Child"},"content":{"rendered":"

Always being aware of their blood sugar level makes it much easier to pick up the first signs of diabetes in kids and in toddlers: if you don\u2019t know there\u2019s a problem, you can\u2019t help before it becomes an emergency. Fortunately, it\u2019s easy to stay on top of kids\u2019 blood sugar – all you need is a home glucose (blood sugar) meter. Keep on reading to find out how this works and to learn more about what is and what is not normal blood sugar for kids.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, if you are looking for <\/span>pediatric diabetes specialty services<\/span><\/a>, we can help you find the best treatment for your little one.<\/span><\/p>\n

How To Check Your Child\u2019s Blood Sugar Level<\/b><\/h2>\n

– Start by washing both your own and the child\u2019s hands with water and soap and dry them properly with a clean towel. Before taking the blood sample, check again that the finger you want to draw blood from is dry because a wet finger might affect the results.<\/span><\/p>\n

– Prick the side of the kid\u2019s fingertip. With some types of meters, you can also prick the forearm. Rather use a finger, however, when the child\u2019s blood sugar level is changing rapidly, e.g., after exercise or meals, or you expect a low blood sugar reading.<\/span><\/p>\n

– Insert a strip into the glucose meter<\/span><\/p>\n

– Draw a drop of blood from their finger<\/span><\/p>\n

– Apply the blood to the test strip<\/span><\/p>\n

– Get a reading and make a note of the test results. Modern meters only take a couple of seconds before the result is shown on the screen<\/span><\/p>\n

– Use a clean cotton ball to apply pressure to the area where you drew blood to stop the bleeding<\/span><\/p>\n

– Take the logbook with you every time you bring your child to the doctor. He or she will know exactly what normal blood sugar for kids should be and what the first signs of diabetes in kids are.<\/span><\/p>\n

When To Check Kids\u2019 Blood Sugar<\/b><\/h2>\n

\"Doctor<\/p>\n

These are the best times to test your child\u2019s blood sugar level:<\/span><\/p>\n

– If there is any reason to suspect that they have an unusually low blood sugar level<\/span><\/p>\n

– When he or she is ill<\/span><\/p>\n

– Before and after they exercise<\/span><\/p>\n

– Before meals<\/span><\/p>\n

– Before they go to bed<\/span><\/p>\n

– If the test results from before the meal do not match, test again two hours later<\/span><\/p>\n

– At night. This is especially important if their blood sugar level tested unusually low during the day, he or she was feeling ill, there was a change in their insulin dose, or they exercised more than on an average day. Sometimes your kid might need a blood sugar test in the middle of the night. This will, for example, be necessary if they regularly have hypoglycemia episodes. Children who have recently shown signs of diabetes might also need more regular tests. The same applies if your very young child showed symptoms of diabetes in toddlers.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is The Normal Blood Sugar Level For Kids?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The Nationwide Children\u2019s Hospital Diabetes Center has published the following target blood sugar levels for kids. Please note that kids\u2019 blood sugar levels should be kept within these limits most of the time. The odd exception should normally not because for alarm as long as it tests within the accepted range again within a relatively short time.<\/span><\/p>\n