What insulin pump is best for a young child?
December 16, 2009 by Diabetes and Blood Glucose Tips
Filed under More Diabetes Answers
Can you answer Tim R’s question about Diabetes?:
I’m looking to get a 4 year old an insulin pump, but websites only mention what to look for when selecting a pump. Anyone know of a site, or can personally recommend a pump for a young child? Please let me know what advantages/disadvantages you’ve discovered after you got your child one. Thanks
Treatment For Type 2 Diabetes
I’m looking to get a 4 year old an insulin pump, but websites only mention what to look for when selecting a pump. Anyone know of a site, or can personally recommend a pump for a young child? Please let me know what advantages/disadvantages you’ve discovered after you got your child one. Thanks
Treatment For Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes Feedback: I would highly recommend the Deltec Cozmo pump for many reasons. First off, it has a meter attached to the pump so that is one less thing you have to worry about carrying around. Second, it has great features. You can put the carbohydrate values for certain foods to be stored in the pump. Most importantly, it has a locking feature so only a person with the combination can administer an insulin bolus. This feature will come in handy once the child goes to school.
Diabetes Feedback: We put a 3 1/2 year old on the Animas pump last year and it’s been working great. One feature to look for with little kids is how small a basal dose is given to them. Some pumps give you an average (let’s say .5 per hour) but the dose is actually given only 2 times during that hour. The Animas pump gives really tiny doses repeatedly during the hour. They both average out to the same amount, but there is a difference.
I think all pumps have the lock-out feature.
Different pumps use different sets and you may like some more than others. Ask the pump reps to let you try a couple on yourself.
I’m a Diabetes Therapy Consultant and I’d be happy to answer any questions that you have about insulin pump therapy and the different options available. Please feel free to call me toll free at 1-800-646-4633 x85190.
Tanya
Diabetes Feedback: You may want to consider the OmniPod. They are especially nice for children because there is no tubing and pump to carry with them, just stick the pod on and go for it. They do have a PDM but it is only used when you have to correct a BG or bolusing when eating. Check them all out but a kid would really love the pod.
Diabetes Feedback: I have a Minimed, but I understand the Deltec Cozmo is very easy to use also.