Your new baby

It is no longer routine for babies of women with diabetes to go into the Special Care Baby Unit once they are born. After delivery, however, your baby's blood glucose levels will be checked every so often, just to be sure that all is well. This is normal practice and is nothing to worry about.

If your baby's blood glucose is very low

• Babies only need special neonatal care if their blood glucose is less than 2.6mmol/L, which is a much lower level than you might expect
• Any blood glucose level over 2.6mmol/L is fine for a baby is NOT hypo
• Some babies produce a bit too much insulin at first, making their blood glucose very low. These babies need closer monitoring
• After a while - usually about 48 hours - the baby will adjust, will not make so much insulin, and his or her blood glucose will return to normal