Ideals for pump pouch

[lotsoftots]

I need some input on what you like about a pump pouch. I love to sew so I thought I would make up some for Samantha but wanted to know the best things and the worse about the ones you use..like do you like the elastic or webbing for the belt, the fabric for the pouches cotton, leather or something more like vinyl. do you like the opening to be velcro or a zipper also the size wise is it better to be a nice fit or a bit bigger then the pump?

I picked up a cute pink sparkle coin purse that was 5 x3 that the pump fits in nicely added two loops on the back to be able to put on a belt..then I seen a cute elastic belt that she can wear around her waist or using the belt loops ..this is how I started this quest..lol now that these seem to work I wanted to know is it worth investing my time in making her some more. So I am picking your brains to see if maybe there is a better verison:D

[kiwikid]

The best thing I find in a horizontal pump pack is that the tubing can come out either end - like a double end zipper. I have no problem with Velcro if its good and strong. We have pumppacks that are made to fit the pump (slider from www.diabetesnet.com) and the bigger ones from Pumpwearinc and we use them at different times. The Slider is much more discreet. Rachel likes elastic belts the most.

[andeefig]

Our favorite pumppack, and the only one we ever use, we buy from Animas. It's the clear vinyl front, neoprene, double zipper, elastic velcro waist. I just ordered some of that "Velstretch" elastic on line. Some of the packs we had from last year are in great condition, except that I had cut the belt to fit a 2 yr olds waist. It's now to short (from growth and repeated washing).

So easy to bolus thru the clear. He doesn't have to stop what he's doing and doesn't even know when we do it.

[lotsoftots]

ok 28 reads and only 2 suggestions ;)
I know you guys are full of ideals....so spill the beans..lol

[jules12]

My Mom makes pump paks for my son. We went ahead and purchased a few pump paks so my mom could see what worked and what didn't. My son definitely likes the velstretch for belting - it is a little hard to find and we had to order it online. My son likes the kind with the vinyl front because he doesn't have to take the pump out all the time - however, he is a boy and wears his shirts untucked so you don't see his pouch. He likes them so they don't flop around with PE, recess, etc. My mom makes it just to fit and puts a zipper across the top and the tubing comes out the side by wear the zipper is. We have them made out of all kinds of fabric.

[Mrs. Russman]

I just made Ben two, we had bought one off e-bay and he likes it so I used it for a guide and made two more. elastic band, horizontal pocket, velcro closing. they were super easy and he got to pick out the material he liked at the fabric store.
He does wear them so they don't show.

[Carrie]

I had a few failed attempts before we found something that works for us. My motto is KISS...keep it simple, sister! :D I make my daughter's just to fit the pump with a little play at the ends. For one, I can't imagine something bigger then that hanging from her little body. And, I figure someday she's going to want to somewhat hide it so we better try to keep it simple now instead of trying to change it later.:rolleyes:

I would go with higher grade cottons. The cheap fabric doesn't last as long (But I would suggest using it to make your prototypes!). Flannel doesn't wear as well. Funky furs and fake leather are cute, but a bugger to work on when it's something that small. (Hmmm...maybe that's why my daughter only has one like that?!?) There are some really cute fabrics out there. When picking something, remember that the design of the fabric that you like is going to have to show up on a little tiny flap. So it's going to have to be a small print or something continuous like a strip or polka dot.

I use velcro closure. As a sewer, you probably know that it's more involved to put in a zipper. Probably more expensive too. With the velcro, it allows the tubing to pop out both sides of the flap. The only time that we have had a pump pop out was because of human error (not getting the velcro closed properly). And when she was a little younger, it was a great security device. Who can mistake the sound of velcro opening?!? :D

I've never used the webbing. I didn't think it would feel as comfortable on her skin as fabric. I don't attatch the belt to the pack. What happens if the belt or loop breaks? Then she can't use that pack. I can make an adjustable, elastic, solid color belt and she can wear it with ten different packs.

Hope this helps!:D

[lynn]

My mom makes them for Nathan. What we have come to as the best for us is a cotton fabric belt that matches the pouch. It is a tube with really wide elastic sewn in that totally fills the tube. Does that make sense? Then each end of the belt has a strip of velcro that makes it a little adjustable.
The actual pouch has a piece of fabric sewn on the back that the belt slides through. The belt fits fairly snugly so there is limited "flopping" while he jumps around.
The pouch is just a bit loose for the pump. When it was more fitted we had problems with the tubing getting bent too tightly at the top of the pump. We also use either velcro or buttons as closures. The velcro is faster but it tends to look old faster. The buttons can be cute too. My mom tends to find ones that are shaped to match the fabric.
Have fun!
Lynn

[valerie k]

aaahhhh the projects I have been working on. I finally have a successfull pump pouch... after about 7 tries.

I got elastic at walmart its over an inch wide... I took fabric to match my pump pouch and encased the elastic. I then, velcroed the ends, so it is adjustable. I used black, with black velcro... becouse of of the fabrics I choose will work with a black belt and its adjustable. So far, I have used polar fleece for the belt, its soft against his skin.

I bought clear plastic sheeting at walmart, sold by the foot. I picked the heaviest grade of clear plastic sold in the fabric department. I have a ton, and paid less then 3 bucks for it... I could make hundreds of pump pouches with what I have.

Someone hear posted a pic of thier daughter sitting with the pump pac, and did a close up of it. and included the web site to purchase it... its a very nice pump pac, however, spendy... (worth it Im sure) but the sew'er in me, cant resist a challenge. So... I made my own pattern, and its similar to the one in the pic. Not as nice (YET) but Im working on it.

My first was polar fleece with a zipper, my second, flame cotten with a zipper and third, flame cotten with a velcro closure, thats the one matt seems to prefer.

[AmyMcCracken]

I've been making Kaylie's pump pouches. I prefer a zipper because we had problems with the velcro opening up and the pump falling out. I've been using snaps on the back of the pouch to attach the belt. This way as she grows I can make new belts that will attach to the pouches and I shouldn't :p have to make more pouches. Kaylie prefers the pouches made with flannel since they're more "snuggly".

Good luck.

[Kaylee's Mommy]

I like the cotton ones with the stretchy cotton belts the best. We have gotton a few from pumpwear (love their cotton ones) and a few 'home made' ones.. plus the clear window one from angel bear, I just ordered a clear windo one from type1designs.. can't wait to get that because her other window one is totally worn out!

[toohughey]

I got my DDs first pouch from http://www.tandjdesign.com and they have a velcro closing and a gap at the sides for the tubing to come out without kinking. I also like the way Joan will custom design the pouch to fit your type of pump and also carry supplies lik with the cosmo pump with cozmonitor attached.

[moco89]

Here's a pump pouch design tutorial. http://www.instructables.com/id/Insulin-Pump-Garter/

[Twinklet]

Our favorites are from http://www.pumppockets.com

Very reasonably priced, and the larger ones hold strips and a lancing device!