How to wear an insulin pump, from a formal wedding to a day at the beach
Living with type 1 diabetes for over 38 years, and wearing an insulin pump since the days of the “big blue brick", MiniMed Ambassador, Cindy Tenney, has a lot of experience when it comes to diabetes technology and everyday life. You may remember Cindy from A Thirty Year Journey with Medtronic and Starting Insulin Pump Therapy: Why Wait?, and we’re happy to have her back to show us the different ways she wears her pump – from the beach, to formal events, to her typical work day. She’s made her own pump cases, and sometimes even alters her clothes so she can wear any outfit with her pump! How do you wear your pump? Tell us in the comments below!
Q. Hi Cindy! When you first got your pump, how did you decide how you would wear it from everyday life to special activities?
A. The insulin pump I started with didn't have many options; it was 2 1/2" x 7 3/16" x 2 7/8" and weighed just over a POUND!!! It actually required the security of a leather belt around my waist. None-the-less, since I sewed all my own prom and winter formal dresses, I got creative!!! I wore the leather belt UNDER my dress and made a button hole in the side of my dress so the pump could clip onto the hidden belt outside of my waist. In addition, I made a little pouch out of the same material to slip over the pump. It really worked out GREAT!
Q. Have your views on wearing the pump changed over the years?
A. Since I have been "pumping" for 33 years, having "Boris" on my side is an essential part of my being. I have worn a pump throughout my life - on my wedding day, through two pregnancies, the labor, and deliveries, an outpatient shoulder surgery, a dental procedure, trips to the beach, airplane travel, and on a couple cruises. The only time I don't wear my pump is in the shower or a pool.
Q. Talk to me about how you started to make your own pump cases.
A. I have sewn my own pump cases in the past - from fancy little pouches to match an outfit (back when the pumps were really too big to "hide"), to real leather cases that clip on my waistband. Pumps these days are tiny enough to slip in my pants pocket, clip on the inside of my waistband, clip in the center of my bra, or tuck down in my stockings. I really don't even get the second looks anymore because electronic gadgets and cell phones are so common.
Q. How do you wear your pump on a typical work day?
A. I usually wear my pump clipped inside my waistband. It serves two purposes there - it is completely out of the way, AND I can feel the vibrating alarms really well.
Q. What do you do with your pump when you’re at a special occasion?
A. If there is a dress that's slim fitting, without a waistband, I simply wear my pump clipped on the inside of my bra, dead center. However, that doesn't always work depending on the scoop of the neckline, awkward! In those cases (slim fitted dresses for weddings), I wear the pump tucked inside my stockings just above my pubic bone.
I even have a couple maxi-dresses with pockets... so I create a button hole in the pocket, thread the infusion set through the button hole, and allow my pump to remain in the pocket. This trick makes the pump accessible without having to the restroom... it's right in my pocket!
Q. How do you wear your pump at the beach?
A. When I'm lounging around at the beach, I keep my pump attached to my body and inside a portable cooler. It's less likely to get sand in it that way. If I'm going to "play", I wear swim pants and clip my pump on the inside of the waistband. If I were going to be IN the ocean, I would definitely do a finger stick first, then disconnect the pump and store it in the SUPERVISED cooler for a specified amount of time - 30 minutes to one -hour. Upon returning from the water, another finger stick will help me determine if or how much replacement insulin is needed.
Q. How do you wear your pump when you are active?
A. My activities are actually mild - bike riding, treadmill, elliptical, hiking, walking… I have never needed a special pump harness (laughs)!!!
Q. What accessory do you use the most?
A. The accessory I use almost exclusively is the belt clip. It can clip on a belt, waistband, bra, and the inside of a pocket. I like the extra security it provides rather than having the pump loose in my pocket.
Q. Do you ever feel the pump adds to your outfit?
A. Boris is an extension of ME - the quieter, inconspicuous side. I actually feel a little naked without Boris on my side! Connect with MiniMed Ambassador, Cindy, to discuss her real experiences and get a better understanding of what life is like on an insulin pump and CGM.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
- Medtronic Diabetes insulin infusion pumps, continuous glucose monitoring systems and associated components are limited to sale by or on the order of a physician and should only be used under the direction of a healthcare professional familiar with the risks associated with the use of these systems.
- Successful operation of the insulin infusion pumps and/or continuous glucose monitoring systems requires adequate vision and hearing to recognize alerts and alarms.
Medtronic Diabetes Insulin Infusion Pumps
- Insulin pump therapy is not recommended for individuals who are unable or unwilling to perform a minimum of four blood glucose tests per day.
- Insulin pumps use rapid-acting insulin. If your insulin delivery is interrupted for any reason, you must be prepared to replace the missed insulin immediately.
For more information, please visit www.medtronicdiabetes.com/importantsafetyinformation.
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Ive been diabetic for over 50 years and on my pump for over 15 years. Most of the time I just clip it to my waistband. I have a bright flower vinyl cover on my pump and I don't think twice about showing it off. With dresses I have made an elastic band with a pocket for my pump and velcro to connect the elastic together wherever I want it to rest on my upper leg or I tuck it in my "spanx" type underwear and it never moves.
These are great tips for different ways to wear your pump, and we appreciate you sharing them with us, Suzie! We'd love to see them if you have any pictures. If you're interested, you can upload them using our “Share Your Story” app here http://on.fb.me/LkkehW. Thank you!
I was diagnosed in 1987 with type 1, at age 14, im now 46. I have been on pump therapy for over 15yrs. I now use the minimed 670G w/ continious glucose monitoring.
I bought a garder from minimed about 14yrs ago, to hold my pump
when wearing skirts or dresses. This was really uncomfortable, plus it kept sliding down my leg. I can't wear bra clips because I'm thin & you can see it because it made my shirts bulge out! I always wanted to wear Rompers /dresses but had no clue where to clip my pump. Thats until I found these shorts you wear under skirts/dresses with a pocket to hold a cell phone, also a lace garder with a pocket to hold your phone. THANK YOU, for these, now finally theres a solution. I haven't worn a dress in over 15yrs because I had no clue where to clip my pump on one piece outfits. Javing an insulin pump is even cooler now than it was 20yrs ago. It's definatly a great conversation starter. I have a lot of knowledge about Diabeties type 1 & 2, so wearing a pump just starts the conversation then I run with it..
Having worn insulin pumps for 29+ years in all kinds of environments from black tuxedo dress formals to down & dirty power plant working and the only thing I ever worried about was protecting my pump from damage. Maybe its just me but I didn't care in the slightest what anybody thought of my pump. It was better to inform someone about insulin pumps especially another diabetic who was still taking injections. I've only met one or two people who didn't like the idea of insulin pumps. Of course if wearing a suit or tux its very easy to just place it in the inside jacket pocket. Otherwise almost always on my belt line. Only people who really cared about my pump was at the airports, then it turned into a real education experience most of the time. Trying to teach the general public about what a insulin pump was, what a mess that could be at International airports.
Edward, that’s a great way of looking at it! Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I’m happy to hear you’re doing well on insulin pump therapy!
I have not had my pump that long but have an upcoming formal event to attend (my cousin's wedding). I have been trying to figure out how I am going to wear my pump with my dress. It is indeed slim fitting. I see where many women put their pump inside their bra, however, when you are, well, lacking in that department (so to speak), you do not really have enough room in there to put your pump without it looking really odd. I will have to try the suggestion of tucking it inside my stockings, but if anyone has any other suggestions I would greatly appreciate them! It is not that I am embarrassed to show my pump, but for a wedding that is a bit different.
Hi Jennifer, we understand. Some women wear their insulin pump on the side of their bra (without a clip). You might also be interested in our thigh or waist pouches as these might work for you depending on the style of dress you are wearing http://my.medtronicdiabetes.com/cases--clips. Here are some additional tips from Kelly that shares her prom dress experience http://www.loop-blog.com/prepping-for-prom-with-an-insulin-pump/. Sometimes you just have to get creative, but I hope you find what works for you so that you can enjoy the wedding!
It looks like a good idea but more so when there are women getting there it shouldn't be so easy even for me it wasn't(not to brag or anything) The people who wear or if I may say try to wewar pump with the dress a re brave in a way I don't like it as crazy as it may sound. Cheers women.
nice style
I love it so much...
Really enjoy visiting your blog
Thank you for the kind comment, Baju. We're glad that you're enjoying the content here on the LOOP.
I am a first time pump user. I have only had the 630G since November. My son is getting married in August. I'm a little freaked out about dress buying and how to wear the pump so it is not visible but yet comfortable. I am a very active individual so I am looking forward to dancing . Do you have any accessories you would recommend that might make wearing the pump easier during formal occasions and also for running swimming hiking?
Great question, Pat. We do have a variety cases that you might want to check out. Here is a link to our store. For formal wear, you might want to try the leg or bra pouch and for activity the SPIbelt. https://medtronicdiabetes.secure.force.com/store/belts-pouches
When tucking in the pump in your bra do you use the clip? I have used a different pump before and it was not that difficult. I used the clip and turned the pump facing inward and it stayed in place. In reading my book it states that you should not place the front of the pump against your body. Is this true? The clip to the med Tronics 670 G is pretty bulky and it has that curve thing at the end of the clip that makes it hard to slip out. Any solutions?
Hi there, Pat. Our technical support team may be able to help answer this for you and offer additional suggestions. Please give them a call at your convenience at 800.646.4633, option 1.
i live in Texas and cycle outdoors for 2-3 hours at a time even starting early in morning with humidity and heat, it's a sweatfest. I wear my 670G in my bra pouch in active bra, but it gets sweaty soaked quickly. any ideas on how to safely wear my pump in my cycling jersey back pocket? My cycling jersey's have two or three pockets and I have not had much problem with tubing and pump when I wear it there vs. bra. I have heard a slit can be made in jersey to thread reservoir and tubing through to pump and wear in jersey pocket. Thoughts?
Unfortunately, Medtronic engineers made the 670-G fit only vertically with a belt clip. That means you have to read it upside down or unclip it to read it or punch in a value. This also means that it is very difficult to wear a seat belt in a car. Previous pumps fit horizontally on a belt with a belt clip and this didn't stick up and get in the way. Are people notifying Medtronic about the need to refashion the 670-G? (I understand that engineers thought the the inconvenience of the vertical position would be overcome by the presumed cool look of holding in your hand what might pass for a cell phone!) Any solutions to this vertical fiasco?
HI there, Roger. The orientation of the pump has certainly been a topic of conversation for our newest generation pumps and we thank you for sharing your thoughts. While there is currently not an option to change the orientation of the screen, you may find a different case will be better suited for your needs for carrying your pump. You can check out all of our available cases here: http://bit.ly/2BfbDd2
I was diagnosed in 1987 with type 1, at age 14, im now 46. I have been on pump therapy for over 15yrs. I now use the minimed 670G w/ continious glucose monitoring.
I bought a garder from minimed about 14yrs ago, to hold my pump
when wearing skirts or dresses. This was really uncomfortable, plus it kept sliding down my leg. I can't wear bra clips because I'm thin & you can see it because it made my shirts bulge out! I always wanted to wear Rompers /dresses but had no clue where to clip my pump. Thats until I found these shorts you wear under skirts/dresses with a pocket to hold a cell phone, also a lace garder with a pocket to hold your phone. THANK YOU, for these, now finally theres a solution. I haven't worn a dress in over 15yrs because I had no clue where to clip my pump on one piece outfits. Javing an insulin pump is even cooler now than it was 20yrs ago. It's definatly a great conversation starter. I have a lot of knowledge about Diabeties type 1 & 2, so wearing a pump just starts the conversation then I run with it..
These people have really good ideas-Thank you to all of you !!
Yeah Currently I am working in a kids fashion store in Australia and I have seen lots of parents are coming in my store and they are around the age of 35 to 40 year and they are also interested to wear occasional dresses
I have had a pump for only 6 months. Wearing the pump isn't so bad since I wear jeans most of the time and it clips to the waistband. The problem I have is the tubing! It won't stay tucked in, it sticks out, gets caught in my belt, catches on things like door knobs and drawer pulls. Any advice for me?
Thanks for reaching out, Dee. We do have a variety of tubing lengths for many of our infusion sets or you may find some taping tips helpful. Our technical support team would be happy to provide some tips and can be reached at 800.646.4633 option #1.
My aunt also has diabetes, and we have been looking for the right way to wear pump for her
Even reading the stories makes me feel better about not being alone even in the simplest of struggles with diabetes. Location of pump is important. Good to hear other perspectives, regardless of whether male or female. I actually wondered if there is a line of dress shirts for men, with a slit in the side, for the tubing to go thru. That's the issue I have, where sometimes it seems the insulin flow gets kinked by the tubing being tight in a tucked in dress shirt. Any thoughts? I primarily keep my pump in a front pants pocket. Thank you!
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