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Home > Wellness Resources > Health Library > Diabetes in Children: Giving Insulin Shots to a Child
Insulin is available only in an
injectable form that is given into the fatty tissue just under the skin.
If your child doesn't want to feel the insulin needle, your child's doctor can prescribe an indwelling subcutaneous cannula. A small needle is used to insert a soft tube into a place where you give your child an insulin shot, such as the belly. The needle is taken out, but the soft tube (cannula) stays in your child's body and is held in place with tape. Then, when your child needs insulin, the insulin needle is put into the cannula instead of into the skin. This way, your child won't have to feel the insulin needle. The cannula can be used for at least 3 days before your child will need a new one.
The three most important elements of success
in giving insulin injections include:
Your doctor or certified diabetes educator (CDE) will
help you and your child learn to prepare and give insulin injections. If your
child is age 10 or older, he or she may be able to give insulin with
supervision. Here are some simple steps to help you and your child learn this
To get ready to give an insulin
injection using an insulin vial and insulin syringe or an insulin pen, follow these steps.
The preparation will depend
on whether you are giving one type of insulin or mixing two types of insulin in
When you are mixing types of insulin to be given in one syringe, follow these precautions.
If you are using an insulin pen, follow the manufacturer's instructions for attaching the needle, priming the pen, and setting the dose.
Before giving the injection, take
the time you need to do the following:
Follow the steps for giving
an insulin injection in the belly. It's also possible for a child to give the shot to himself or herself in the arm.
Follow the steps for giving an insulin injection into the belly with a reusable insulin pen.
After giving your child's
injection, be sure to:
Some tips to help you be safe and successful in
giving your child insulin injections include the following:
Current as of:
June 4, 2014
John Pope, MD - Pediatrics & Stephen LaFranchi, MD - Pediatrics, Pediatric Endocrinology
How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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