T1D Wave Rider

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T1D Wave Rider

Empowering children, teens, and parents who are riding the waves of glucose.

This uplifting resource includes day-to-day guidance offering insights, shared experiences, and practical advice from those riding the daily wave of Type 1 Diabetes.

08/05/2026

WHY IS MY CGM LYING TO ME TODAY?!?

One minute you're cruising. The next your CGM says you're LOW while you feel completely fine...or suddenly DOUBLE ARROWS UP after doing absolutely nothing.

Spotty, jumpy or inaccurate CGM readings can happen, and it's so frustrating for kids, teens, adults and parents trying to make safe decisions.

Here are some common reasons why your CGM readings might be acting weird.

1. Compression lows- Sleeping or leaning on the sensor can cause false lows, especially overnight.

2. First 24 hours of a new sensor- Readings can sometimes be less accurate while the sensor settles in.

3. Rapid glucose changes- CGMs measure glucose in interstitial fluid, so there can be a delay during fast rises or drops.

4. Sensor placement issues- Areas with little fat, lots of movement, or constant knocks can affect readings.

5. Heat, sweat & dehydration- Hot weather , sports, sweating or dehydration can sometimes impact performance.

6. Loose adhesive or partially lifted sensor- Even slightly lifting can cause signal or accuracy problems.

7. Bluetooth/ signal interruptions- Phones too far away, low battery, or app glitches can temporarily affect updates.

8. End of sensor wobble- Some sensors get less reliable in the final 12-24 hours before expiry.

9. Illness or inflammation- Being unwell can sometimes create more unpredictable readings.

10. It might actually be correct- Sometimes symptoms lag behind glucose changes, always double check if unsure.

If readings don't match symptoms, trust how you feel and confirm with a finger prick when needed.

Full guide + practical tips on T1D Wave Rider

06/05/2026

🌞 PICNIC SEASON IS HERE...but let's make it T1D friendly and actually exciting.

If you're tired of the same sandwiches, try this instead 👇

✨ Wrap swaps:
Chicken tikka roti, Jerk chicken wraps, Satay lettuce cups

✨ Picnic boxes:
Cheese + crackers + fruit, Tandoori chicken bites, Edamame, Hummus + veg

✨ Fun skewers:
Chicken + peppers, Paneer tikka, Cheese + grapes, Teriyaki salmon

✨ Easy salads:
Pesto chicken pasta, Chickpea salad, Soba noodles, Sweet potato + feta

✨ Pick & mix extras:
Mini egg muffins, Falafel + dip, Sushi, Savoury muffins

✨ Sweet but steady:
Yoghurt + berries, Dark chocolate + nuts, Mango + yoghurt, Energy balls

👉 There are SO many more ideas (including full picnic combos + tips) on our website - Day to Day, Meal Planning

What's your go to picnic food?

30/04/2026

🤒 The hardest T1D sick day moment?

When your child won't eat...but you know they still need insulin.

The store run to find something they can stomach, the cajoling with every sip, the worry as you watch their glucose numbers.

💡Here's what can help in these moments:

With Automated Insulin Delivery Systems:
♦ Insulin keeps running in the background (helps to prevent ketones)
♦ It can increase when glucose rises
♦ It can reduce or pause if levels drop

Especially during illness, this can mean:
* Fewer sharp spikes
* More flexibility when they won't eat
* Support during vomiting bugs (when insulin is still essential)

👉 So instead of choosing "insulin or no insulin"... you have something adjusting alongside you.

But this still matters:
✴ Ketone checks are non-negotiable
✴ Sick day rules still apply
✴ You are still leading every decision

💬 What do you find hardest about T1D sick days?
➡ High sugars that won't budge?
➡ Fear of hypos when they won't eat?
➡ Ketones?

Full sick day guides on T1D Wave Rider (link in bio)- Day to Day Management

27/04/2026

Ice lollies don't have to spike your child's blood sugars

~Yoghurt berry
~Coconut lime
~Peanut butter chocolate
+ Loads more easy ideas!

* 3-10g carbs
* Simple ingredients
* Perfect for warm weather

-> Get all recipes + carb counts on T1D Wave Rider (link in bio) Snacks, Meals, and Carb Counting for Children section

22/04/2026

Research across the UK, Canada, Denmark & Australia says:
👉 Yes...but only slightly

And here's what really matters 👇

💡 They still achieve just as well academically
💡Support matters more than attendance
💡 Health always comes first

But what does the research really say about attendance, outcomes, and what actually helps?
And how can you support your child without the constant worry about missed school?

👉 Head to T1D Wave Rider (link in bio, Day to Day Management, Navigating School) for the full breakdown, real life guidance, and practical tips you can use straight away.

16/04/2026

As the weather warms up, you might start noticing:

⬇Faster drops during play or activity
⬆Higher levels after being out in the sun
🔄 More unpredictable patterns overall

Spring can affect glucose in multiple ways:

🌡Heat = faster insulin absorption
🏃‍♀️ More activity = quicker dips
💦 Dehydration = higher glucose
🌼 Allergies = hormone driven spikes

💡 It's not just more highs or more lows, it's more variability.

Once you understand that, it becomes easier to spot patterns and adjust with confidence.

👉 We've broken it all down with practical tips on T1D Wave Rider (Day to Day Management, Seasons and Celebrations)

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.

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http://www.t1dwaverider.co.uk/, http://www.t1dwaverider.com/

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