Which pump?

[Reagan's Mama]

I am just beginning to research pumps for my 12 month old daughter.

I believe the Animas is the one the hospital said could give the smallest doses. I would be interested to know what brand other babies are using.

Thanks

[Jen Jen]

Some people successfully use the Minimed pumps with babies and small children. Really, it boils down to what features you want, and what you can get. There are loads of resources that compare the different pumps, and plenty of charts. I actually decided on Animas well before the IR1200 was even FDA approved, and once I had insurance that covered it, jumped at the chance to get it. I got the IR1250 with the food data base, which I've customized specifically for my needs. Even though I am an adult, I like the smaller increments for the basals, I love fine tuning things, sometimes that's all you need is that .025 units more an hour to be in that target range. Another thing is it's water proof, and it's been pretty durable thus far, I deal with alot kids, it gets knocked off me and all sorts of stuff all the time. Alot of people have nothing but great things to say about the Minimed, too, especially now that they have the CGMS integrated into the pump. Just find some of those charts and compare features, figure out what you want, you will be the one dealing with it, handling it, and protecting it while your child is growing and learning.

[EmmasMom]

Hi Amy,
I emailed you today, but I thought I'd respond here with my 2 cents on our pump choice. We started Emma on the Minimed 515 at 14 months. She was about 20 lbs at the time and using about 3 units a day total. We have never had a problem with the basal settings.
We chose MM because of their amazing technology, long successful history, and features. They are the company that always has the technology first and spends 10 times more on research and development of their products than any other pump company. Their "pathway" program allows you to upgrade your pump anytime new technology is available, for a minimal fee, so you will always have access to the latest stuff.
When we were shopping for a pump I knew I wanted access to a continuous glucose sensor as soon as possible, and MM is the only pump company that has it. We are anxiously awaiting Emma's new 522 pump w/ sensor.
I love that our meter sends the blood sugar directly into the pump. If you want to use the "smart" features of a pump you must enter a blood sugar, so it's nice that it's already there.
The "carb wizard" does all of the math for you, and allows you to change the settings for many different times of day, even if it's just 1 hour that needs to be adjusted you can fine tune it.
Their infusion sets are great, thoroughly tested with their pumps and guaranteed. (we love the quick-sets) When you use infusion sets from other companies with an Animas or Cozmo pump they may not have been tested w/ that pump and if you have a problem it's harder to pinpoint a cause or place blame and they may not work together to fix the problem.
The minimed pumps are very resilient, and we have had no problems with damage or failures of any kind. They are water resistant, although it is not recommended that you submerge them. Most people chose to remove their pumps for water actives, so this is rarely an issue, but any pump can get water damage and I have seen numerous reports of "waterproof" pumps that have to be replaced. When my husband had an Animas pump it had to be replaced 3 times, twice due to water. We will never submerge a $6,500 pump again! MM removed it's waterproof claim after years of replacing pumps w/ tiny hairline cracks, (something the other companies still do a lot of) but will still replace your pump IF it does get water damage.

All of the pumps are great, and I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever you choose. These were just some things that were important to us, and some things people often point out in comparisons. I know of two other very young children on this site that have started with MM (prior to 18 months of age) that have been very happy!
Call the pump companies and set up meetings with a rep so you can see them and play with the features. Then call your insurance and see if one has better coverage than another. You really cant go wrong with MM, Animas or Cozmo, so if one has better coverage, or a fabulous rep it may be the deciding factor for you.
Best of Luck!!!:)

[rickst29]

Take a LONG look at both. Although poster above had bad luck with Animas, lots of people LOVE the 1250. I would frankly recommend AGAINST using the Minimed's CGM as a primary criterion, because (1) Dexcom beats Minimed in accuracy/reliability for detecting lows; and (2) Abbott Labs claims to be BOTH Dexcom and Minimed for accuracy. Abbott has also promised to start a price war. Their "Navigator", like the Dexcom "STS" which I own, can be used independently of any particular pump.

But the 722 is a fine pump on its own merits. Note that it's a little bit big, you can also get a pump in the 5xx series with a smaller reservoir and correspondingly smaller size. (Some people are VERY happy with their results from MM CGMS, but I think Dexcom is better-- as long as you keep its Sensor dry. Abbott is supposed to be completely waterproof, another big advantage if it proves true in the real world.)

The other one which you should REALLY look at, I think, is the updated Cozmo (due to be released in November, current customers all get upgrades for free). Some people have had bad luck with it's so-called "waterproof" abilities, but other just love 'em.

Cozmo and Animas use Lauer lock instead of MM's proprietary connectors, so you have a lot more choices for infusion sets. Including the Cleo. ;) MM has nothing like the Cleo.
- - - - -

I own none of the above... but if I was shopping now, I would take MM 722, Animas 1250, and Cozmo home for a trial. And for the two "waterproof" ones, I'd see how the do in the Jacuzzi when I hold 'em just a bit too close to the jets ;). I B]strongly recommend[/B] that you request a "loaner" for at least 3 days, so you can see how they work for you. One person's "insignificant" issue is often another's NIGHTMARE, you really need to use them yourself to find out what you like and what gets on your nerves.

[Seans Dad]

Don't forget to take a look at the Omnipod from insulet. No tubing with this pump.

www.myomnipod.com

[Ben'sMommy]

Ben uses the Minimed 512.

We love it. :)

[ramrummy]

Babies in the childrens hospital here are using Animas for the small doses, you are correct, but soem are using the MM because of the offer for the CGM, so that fewer finger pricks are needed. Personally I dont trust the technology yet, still too many calibrations for my liking and the sensors are too expensive and on small bodies there will be too many machines, but I can see the other side too.

[Kirsten]

We have our almost 3 year old son on the omnipod. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone under age 2, especially, if they are petite. You need a certain amount of flat surface area on the body to make it stay on well.

GL!

Kirsten

[TaeandTiff]

I choose the cozmo because
1. The attached meter, Ayden is in others care alot of the day, and I will have the entire day on this machine from blood glucose, to carbs, and bolus. Then with the software I can just print and send to his doctor.
2. The ease of use, compared to the other two it was choosing between Windows and DOS, the Cozmo was like DOS
3. The FREE upgrades!!! new technology is free
4. The customer service was great, they did not have to talk to me at night while I was making a decision, imagine how they would bend over backwards if I am a customer
5. The insulin to carb ratio, in the animus the times were set for me in blocks. ex: 12-2, 2-4, 4-6, ..... and with the cozmo I can set the times for the different insulin to carb ratios. 11:30-2:30, 2:30-4, 4-7:30
6. The software makes this machine very easy to set, program, and monitor Ayden's logs and pump even if he is across the room.
7. My CDE and ENDO both said that the .025 basil will not matter much, becase the dose is so small, they are managing infants on a .05 with cozmo and MM
NOW here is what I don't like....
1. How Cozmo calculates insulin on board, it figures it as a little less on bard over time vs on a curve.....I am not sure how other pumps calculate.
2. The design, it s bulky with the monitor Ayden is going to have to wear a pump pack, but, this is cool to him he wants to wear it now!
Hope this helps

[Momof4gr8kids]

We have been playing with the Animas pump Julia got a few days ago. (We are waiting for our appointment to hook up) The one thing that the other two didn't have, that I think will help with the honeymoon Julia is going through is that it does boluses by 1/20u rather then 1/10u. It is also water proof, not just resistant, and has been tested at 12ft for 48 hrs.

We really had a good response from the rep which was the biggest deciding factor. I would just suggest looking at them all, and speaking to all of the reps. Keep in mind that they are there to sell their product. Listen to what they have to say about their own pump, but don't always take them at their word about the others.

Good luck, Jamie

[sheila]

We just decided on the Cozmo. We have been pumping for 2 weeks. I would recommend having all of the rep's come to your home! That is really the best way to decide, "hands on"!

I was sold on the customer service of the Cozmo/Smith Medical! That was just as important to me as the features of the pump!

[Rhonda]

Hello Jamie- I am a mom of a 3 yr old lil girl named Lilly she was dxd with type 1 3/17/05 and just received her medtronic minimed paradigm 522 it is so small i personally would recommend this insulin pump for small children it is so tiny and i really dont believe it will get in the childs way at all

[bz'smom]

Thanks for all the info. Our Endo is so excited that Brandon is interested in the pump. We are thinking about it when school is out, so we can all adjust to it before he starts back to school next fall.

[Budapest]

We have been pumping with Animas for 10 weeks since my son's 2nd b-day. It is great. We chose Animas primarily for having the smallest increments:

basal: 0.025U/hr
bolus: 0.05U

Even for our two-year-old this proved very important, so I would imagine for a 12-mo-old it is even more important.

Being waterproof is nice, but honestly we do not take advantage of this. What are you gonna do with a water proof pump in the tub? An adult can put it in their neck or hang it on the shower head etc. but none of these seem safe and/or practical for a toddler. We simply disconnect and if necessary bolus for the missed basal. The infusion site is waterproof regardless of the pump.

Another important and perhaps often overlooked feature of Animas is the frequency of giving the basal:

Animas gives at least every 3 minutes (or at least 20 times over an hour).

MM does it in 0,05U units. Meaning if you set the minimal basal of 0.05U/hr than it is given once an hour! If you happen to just have disconnected than, then you missed a whole hour's basal.

The software features (calculating bolus based on gramms of carbs, insulin on board etc. etc.) is pretty much the same for all pumps with slight variations.

In addition to the pump there are other "weapons" that have to be used. We assembled the following. I am sharing it hoping that it will help you as well with your baby:

Lancet: BD has the thinest lancet in the world: 33G (0,2 mm thick) "BD Micro fine +" as opposed to 31-32G (0,25 mm) works with any standard lancing device
Meter: Abbott FreeStyle meters require the least blood in the world: 0,3 micro liter as opposed to 1-3 micro liter
pump: as above Animas pumps have the smallest increment of insulin delivery in the world.

I hope you will find that the pump you choose works well for you.