LYD1A KERR

When researching what insulin pump to choose to manage my type 1 diabetes, I really wanted to know how people actually incorporated them into their daily lives. I struggled to find content like this, so hopefully this helps someone out!

Having used the Tandem T-slim X2 insulin pump for over a year and a half now, I’ve been fully accustomed to wearing it 24/7 (yes, even at night). Though it comes with tubing to contend with, that hasn’t stopped me from getting creative with how I incorporate it into my outfits.

Waistbands

For about 90% of the time, I clip my insulin pump to the waistband of my jeans, trousers, skirts, or shorts. This is the handiest spot for quick and easy access, as long as the infusion site is within reach, and you’re wearing clothes with a waistband (obviously).

If I don’t feel like using a case, simply popping the insulin pump in my pocket works just fine. These machines are pretty sturdy, and I imagine they are built to be used without a case anyway.

Dresses

Dresses are a bit more awkward to figure out. I tend to wear biker shorts underneath dresses and clip the insulin pump onto them. It works well until I need to roll the dress up to bolus insulin in public, reassuring everyone around me that’s I’m not about to flash.

When I don’t feel like wearing shorts, I clip the pump onto the back of my dress. It’s a bit awkward to access, as you have to contort yourself to handle the pump, and can weigh the dress down, but if the material is thick enough, it works. And you aren’t flashing anyone.

Swimwear

If I’m at the beach, I’ll just attach my pump to the back of my bikini top, or the back of my swimsuit. It works just like a waistband, just in an awkward position.

You can also just clip it on to your bikini bottoms or swim shorts, but this will probably weigh them down, and that’s not ideal…

Regardless, if you’re at the beach, you’ll probably just disconnect your insulin pump to go swimming and put it in your bag anyway!

Jumpsuits

I rarely wear a jumpsuit, but the one time I did, I took matters into my own hands and cut a hole in the pockets. The chaotic video is free to watch on Instagram (@lydiabetic) or a longer version on Tiktok. I was low and very excited for a Blink-182 concert, so the brain cells weren’t quite doing their job.

My insulin pump site was on my leg, and the tube wasn’t long enough to clip at the top of my strapless jumpsuit. But the jumpsuit had pockets! So I cut a hole in one of the pockets, fed my insulin pump tubing through it, and then reconnected at the site. It worked a treat to be fair, but the re-sale value of the jumpsuit plummeted.

The principle is the same as the rest – clipping it onto the back, or popping it in your pocket if you’re blessed to have those.

Trying on clothes in a changing room

When it comes to trying on clothes in a changing room, it can be an awkward one because you want to see what the clothes look like without any insulin pump in the way. Other than just disconnecting and removing my pump altogether to avoid getting overstimulated, I tend to clip it onto my top.

This isn’t usually an issue if I’m trying new tops on though, as I can keep my pump where it is on my waistband.

Going for a run

As an avid runner these days (lol), I’ve had to learn to ignore my insulin pump. In the beginning, it was noticeably bouncing up and down as I ran and it annoyed me. I’ve tried every possible solution: clipping it to my sports bra, zipping it in my bum bag, putting it in the pocket of my leggings, but nothing seemed to help.

Instead, I’ve just learnt to run with it on my waistband. I’ve gotten used to it thankfully, and it rarely bothers me. But I completely understand if this is an issue for you, and hope you can find some solution other than my not-so-helpful “get over it”.

In the night

A common question I hear is: “what about nighttime?!” (or after an alarm goes off – “does that happen in the nighttime too?!”). But it’s quite simple: I either clip it to the waist band of my pyjamas (shock), or just let it roam free.

The second option’s a bit riskier, as there’s been a couple of times where I’ve woken up in the night to a boiling hot pump from lying directly on it. Woops. It didn’t cause any harm though, just something to keep in mind.

Hopefully that covers most bases!

Thank you for reading, keep rockin’ that diabetes tech ❤

Love, Lydia x

P.s. check out my diabetes instagram @lydiabetic for more ❤