If you’re considering an insulin pump for yourself or your child with type 1 diabetes , you aren’t alone. About 63 percent of adults in the United States with type 1 diabetes rely on insulin pumps to receive their daily insulin doses. An insulin pump helps people avoid the need for daily injections to control their blood sugar levels.

The best insulin pump for you or your child is the one that suits your needs and your lifestyle. Insulin pumps aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution, as they have to be tailored to individual preferences and requirements.

Below are considerations you need to keep in mind before you choose to use an insulin pump and decide which pump is right for you.

1. Are You Comfortable With the Idea of an Insulin Pump?

Before you select an insulin pump, make sure you’re comfortable with the idea of having one. There are ways to make the pump discreet, but it will be attached to your body whenever you’re using it. If the idea of people seeing your pump makes you uncomfortable or you don’t want something that is always attached to you, you may want to reconsider whether an insulin pump is right for you.

2. Does Your Insurance Cover an Insulin Pump?

Insulin pumps can cost thousands of dollars, and that’s only for the pump itself. You will also need to consider the cost of pump tubing, insulin, skin prep materials, and more. Most people can’t pay these costs out of pocket, so it’s important to know what your insurance covers. Some companies may only offer insurance coverage for certain types of pumps, in which case you’ll need to make sure these meet your needs.

3. Are You Willing To Learn How To Use Your Pump?

Learning how to use an insulin pump takes time and energy. In fact, learning to use your pump well can require quite a few visits with multiple medical providers and diabetes educators. If you or your child can’t commit to learning how to use an insulin pump, then it might not be a good option.

In addition to knowing how to use your insulin pump during regular daily activities, you’ll need to learn how to use it when you exercise; what to do if you want to swim, shower, or use a hot tub; and how to sleep with your insulin pump, among other things. All of this takes time and energy, and you should be sure that you have that available before you choose a pump and start that journey.

4. How Well Do You Deal With a Crisis?

Before you get an insulin pump, consider how well you or your child handles a crisis. If a tube is clogged or the pump stops working, you need to know that the situation will be managed, and insulin delivery will continue without delay.

You’ll still need to carry insulin syringes and know how to give an insulin injection. Additionally, knowing how to contact your pump’s manufacturer for assistance is crucial.

If dealing with a pump malfunction would lead to excessive stress or burden, you might consider choosing a different pump or decide not to use a pump at all.

5. Do Your Insulin Needs or Eating Habits Change?

Several factors can cause changes in your blood sugar levels, which in turn can lead to changes in your insulin requirements.

These variations can make your type 1 diabetes harder to keep under control. Factors that cause a variation in insulin needs include pregnancy, working inconsistent hours, and inconsistent mealtimes. If these scenarios describe you or your child and you want to make it easier to manage type 1 diabetes through glucose control, an insulin pump might be right for you. Make sure you choose one that allows you to easily adjust the insulin dose so you can change it as needed.

6. Do You Use a Continuous Glucose Monitor?

Some insulin pumps work with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). If yours works with a monitor, they usually need to be from the same company, and you may even need a specific monitor to use with a specific pump. You’ll want to make sure that your system is completely compatible or that you’re willing to continue with finger pricks to monitor your glucose levels if your pump doesn’t work with your CGM or if you choose not to use a CGM.

7. What Type of Insulin Pump Suits Your Lifestyle Best?

There are two main types of insulin pumps for type 1 diabetes. Both types attach to your body through a port in your skin. Traditional, tethered, or conventional insulin pumps have a tube that runs into your skin, which attaches to the pump. You can wear that on your belt, put it in your pocket, or tape it to your body.

Newer insulin pumps, sometimes called patch insulin pumps, attach directly to the port, often on your upper arm. They are tubeless pumps and look like a plastic circle or square that is sitting on or in your skin. They have a part you can remove to replace the insulin so you always have what you need.

Different pumps can meet different types of needs. Some conventional pumps, for instance, may need to be taken off during activity, while patch pumps can often be left in place. The one that is right for you depends on your insulin needs during activity, whether wearing the pump during activity is distracting, and other factors. You’ll want to work closely with your health care provider to make sure you get the best pump for your needs.

8. How Active Are You?

Exercising is great, but it can mean that you have inconsistent insulin needs. Some people need less insulin when they exercise, and others need to stop taking it entirely until they are finished. Some pumps allow you to pause or reduce your insulin doses and restart them again as needed. If you're frequently fiddling with the amount of insulin you need to keep your blood glucose levels within range, insulin pump therapy may be able to help you regulate it better. Make sure your pump allows you to stop it when you need to do so.

Pumps That May Work for You

The choice of insulin pump comes down to a conversation between you and the health care professionals on your diabetes care team. Keep reading to learn about a few insulin pumps that some people love, which may have features that work for you.

The Omnipod 5

The Omnipod 5 patch pump works with the related blood glucose monitor to protect your body against blood sugar highs and lows. The pump uses tubeless infusion techniques and is approved for use in people with type 1 diabetes who are 2 years of age and older. You can control it using a smartphone app and see glucose readings there, too, if you use it with a monitor. It’s also waterproof and adjusts insulin delivery every five minutes.

The Tandem Slim X2

This tethered insulin pump from Tandem Diabetes Care is one of the smallest available. It can work with a continuous glucose monitor or be used independently from one. It is waterproof and can hold the maximum volume of insulin (300 units) for those who may have higher insulin requirements.

The TouchCare Nano

The TouchCare Nano is one of the smallest and lightest patch pumps available. This pump features waterproof housing, it can be paired with a glucose monitor, and you can watch it work or control it with a smartphone. If you or your child doesn’t have a smartphone, you can also control it with a digital touch screen handset.

Work With Your Doctor

If you're ready for an insulin pump, talk to your diabetes care team the next time you see them. They should be able to help you evaluate the different types of insulin pumps available and choose one that’s right for you. They will also help ensure that you know how to use your new pump for diabetes management so you can get the most out of it and have more control over your or your child’s type 1 diabetes. Advancements in these pumps are ongoing, and your doctor should be on top of these so they can give you up-to-date medical advice.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myT1Dteam, the site for people with type 1 diabetes and their loved ones, people come together to gain a new understanding of type 1 diabetes and share their stories with others who understand life with the condition.

Are you concerned about finding an insulin pump that will work well for you? Share your experience in the comments below.