Mattel's Diabetic Barbie Will Hurt Small Type 1 Diabetic Owned Businesses—Why the Diabetic Barbie Conversation Needs More Voices
Before there was a "Diabetic Barbie" from Mattel, there were real families and small businesses creating handmade insulin pumps and CGMs for dolls, Barbies, plush toys, Elf on the Shelf, and action figures. And Glucomart was one of the first.
As a small, Type 1 Diabetic-owned business, Glucomart saw the emotional and developmental value of representation over a decade ago. We knew that when kids living with Type 1 diabetes saw their favorite toy wearing the same device they do—whether a sensor, insulin pump, or tubing—it helped normalize diabetes care, reduce fear, and even make daily site changes more fun.
Toys aren’t just for entertainment—they’re tools for processing the world. When a child sees their Barbie or superhero figure wearing an insulin pump just like theirs, something powerful happens:
At Glucomart, our toy-sized insulin pumps and CGMs have been worn by Barbies, American Girl Dolls, Paw Patrol figures, and even stuffed unicorns. They’ve been part of holiday magic on Elf on the Shelf and birthday surprises from parents who just want their kids to feel included.
Long before Mattel released their new Diabetic Barbie (which includes a CGM and insulin pump accessories), small diabetic-owned businesses were already doing the work—creating lovingly crafted diabetes gear for dolls by hand. Glucomart was proud to be part of that movement.
Glucomart was designing, printing, packaging, and shipping mini diabetes devices before major brands took notice. Our toy insulin pumps were built not just to be cute, but to spark confidence and emotional support for children managing a complex medical condition.
While it’s heartening to see a mainstream company finally acknowledging children with diabetes through the Diabetic Barbie, it’s also a double-edged sword.
Large brands like Mattel have millions in marketing budgets and global distribution. That visibility is powerful, yes—but it also diverts attention and dollars away from the very community businesses who pioneered this space and who give portions of sales back to organizations like Breakthrough T1D.
When you buy Diabetic Barbie from a big box store, that money isn’t going to a family-owned shop built by a person with diabetes or a parent of a diabetic child. A portion of sales are not getting donated back to diabetes organizations. It’s not going toward innovation from those living this experience daily. It’s not helping support Etsy creators, diabetes advocates, or indie shops who made these tools available when the mainstream ignored them.
Let’s be real—Mattel’s diabetic Barbie is a wonderful step forward, but our handmade toy insulin pumps and CGMs still offer features and options that mass production doesn’t:
Whether you're outfitting Barbie, Batman, or your child’s favorite stuffie, we offer tools that let your child express themselves, feel empowered, and feel normal.
If the new Diabetic Barbie sparked your interest, we’re glad—it means more visibility for our kids. But we encourage you to go a step further. Support the shops that started this movement:
We love that more kids will see diabetes represented in toys. We really do. But let’s not forget who helped get us here. Glucomart and other diabetes-owned small businesses have been providing inclusive tools for years.
So yes—buy the Diabetic Barbie if it brings your child joy. But don’t forget to also support the small creators who inspired that change long before it hit the shelves.
Check out our toy insulin pumps, CGMs, and patches today. Made with heart. Made by a diabetes family. Made for kids just like your!
