Glucose Meter Testing on 3Yo

An adjustable lancing device, like the one mentioned by the previous poster, is an absolute necessity. I recommend the Accu-Chek Multiclix Lancet Device. This is the one that always gets the best reviews.

Instead of poking the front pad of her finger (which is so tender and can get sore!), use the side of her finger.

One last thought...after you have applied the blood to the test strip, do not wipe any excess blood on her finger with the alcohol swab -- it will just keep bleeding. Use a clean tissue instead.

My best wishes.

Hi K.! I had to start testing my daughter glucose at age 19 months when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I totally feel your distress at having to poke their little fingers. It STILL breaks my heart even though it's been two years.

Get an AccuCheck Softclix lancing device. You can adjust the depth of the lancet much finer than any other lancing device and the needles are TINY. My kids don't fuss at all when they have their blood tested at home.
I have tried it on myself (I have a low pain tolerence and HATE, hate, hate!!! getting my finger poked) and I can barely feel the poke.

She will get used to it soon, I promise. My daughter is 3 and likes to try to test herself and my six year old son is able to test his own blood with no problem.

Ask your doctor if you can test on toes too. We do it all the time, as per the recommendation of our pediatric endocrinologist.

I feel for you! I have a piano student who is hypoglycemic and both he and his brother have to test blood sugars regularly.

Hang in there mom!

Can I recomend that you contact the Barbra Davis Center for Childhood diabeties in Denver. (I'm not sure that you are located in CO) but they have some wonderful advice and support systems for these little kids who have to be poked all the time. Also they have a numbing cream that they use for type 1 diabetic kids for their shots and blood draws. If you get in contact with them they should offer some great support and advice!

Just sending comfort and encouragement.
That's really rough.
As you probably know, even (some of us) grown-ups
have a hard time with the finger-poking.
I wonder if you can explain the difference
between drawing blood from an arm and poking the finger.
Also, I presume you know the poking device
can be adjusted WAY DOWN so there's hardly any depth to the poke.
Have you had any advice about keeping her blood sugar up
with frequent snacks, etc.?
Have you attempted to explain why the medical people
want/need to examine her blood?
Maybe your library has some books that explain this kind of thing.
The librarian in the children's room may have some suggestions.
Good luck!

I cannot endure glucose testing on my fingers. Those snaps hurt like @%#$ and the residual soreness can last for days. I've discovered that testing on the heels of my hands is much less painful during, and leaves almost no soreness afterward. Ask the doc whether other, less sensitive test sites might also be acceptable – the tests are perhaps somewhat less accurate, but may be close enough.

Also, set the lancet needle as shallow as possible. A 3yo child has pretty thin skin with a good blood supply. Newer meters can use incredibly tiny samples.

I'm hoping he'll never need to use a meter on himself, but I also let my grandson push the button on my lancet, and "help" me collect the sample on my test strip. He loves this – that might also help your daughter feel more matter-of-fact about getting tested herself.

Good luck.

Being diabetic too and having to test 4 times a day. I recommend the freestyle lite meter, it needs very little blood and its one of the most accurate. It comes with an adjustable lancing device and @ least to me is the least painful. There are times where I'm not sure it worked, until I press on my finger jajaja. Also you can test on the arm, leg and different sites other than the fingers.
You'll get her through this. good luck!!!

My son has diabetes so here are my suggestions from our experience: Accuchek makes a new type of lancet (Multiclix) that is smaller and my son says it causes no pain! We have been told not to use alcohol swabs but just wash hands well first. You may even want to try positioning the pen and let her push the button for the "poke" if that would make her feel more in control. Just some ideas for you- good luck!

Fingertips are so tender - would it be possible to poke the side of the finger or her hand instead? That's what my mother-in-law does, and she says it has made the necessary testing much less painful.