Holidays and travel with Type 1 Diabetes: a family packing guide

Type 1 Diabetes shouldn't stop your family exploring the world. A little extra planning means you can relax and enjoy the holiday. Here's the checklist our family uses.

Before you go

• Talk to your diabetes team a few weeks before, especially if you're crossing time zones. They can help plan insulin timings.
• Get a travel letter from your team or GP explaining that your child has Type 1 Diabetes and needs to carry insulin, needles, sensors and a pump.
• Check your travel insurance covers Type 1 Diabetes. Declare it when you buy.
• Order supplies early so you're not waiting on a prescription the week you leave.

Pack double

A good rule many families use is to pack at least twice the supplies you think you'll need, split between two bags in case one goes missing:

• Insulin, pens or pump supplies, plus a backup method if your team advises it
• CGM sensors and a blood glucose meter with strips
• Ketone strips
• Plenty of hypo treatment and snacks
• Your child's hypo plan and sick day rules
• Chargers and spare batteries

At the airport

Keep all diabetes supplies in your hand luggage. Insulin should never go in the hold, where it can freeze. Show your travel letter at security and tell staff about pumps and CGMs. Some manufacturers advise that pumps and sensors shouldn't go through body scanners or X-ray machines, so check your device's guidance and ask for a hand search if needed.

Keep insulin cool

Insulin can be damaged by heat. Use a cooling wallet or cool bag, keep it out of direct sun, and never leave it in a hot car or on a sun lounger. Store spare insulin in your room's fridge if you have one, but not in the freezer compartment.

Sun, swimming and new food

• Heat can make insulin work faster and lead to more hypos. Check more often.
• Swimming and days out are usually more active than home, so keep hypo treatment close.
• New foods make carb counting trickier. Photos, apps and a bit of guesswork are fine, and you can adjust as you go.
• Drink plenty of water.

Free guide

Our free Holiday Hero guide helps children plan a hero adventure, from airport security to building their own travel hero kit.

Please note: this article is general information written by a parent, not medical advice. Always follow the plan and advice of your child's diabetes team.

Gary RapsonMax's dad and the author of the Captain Lantus books. Max was diagnosed with Type 1 at 18 months old.