Ashwin Lewis
Insulin pumps are a convenient alternative to daily insulin injections for diabetics. They deliver continuous doses of insulin throughout the day and allow users to manage additional boluses to match their food intake. While the idea of wearing a medical device 24/7 can be daunting, most people get used to sleeping with an insulin pump. There are various ways to ensure comfort and safety while sleeping with an insulin pump, such as clipping the pump to your pyjamas or underwear, placing it in a pocket, or putting it under your pillow. It is also safe to place the pump beside you or on your bedside table.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to sleep with an insulin pump attached | Clip the pump to your pyjamas or underwear, place it in a pocket, put it under your pillow, lie it beside you, put it near your bed, or wear an insulin pump belt |
| What happens if you roll onto the pump | The pump won't get damaged, and it's highly improbable that you'll accidentally deliver a bolus of insulin. However, rolling onto the infusion site may be uncomfortable |
| What happens if you pull out the infusion set | It's unlikely that the infusion set will be pulled out during sleep, but if it does, some pumps will sound an alarm |
| What happens if you get tangled in the tubing | The tubing is thick enough not to get very tangled, but if this bothers you, you can use less tubing and place the pump in your pyjama pocket or wear an insulin pump belt |
| Where should you put the pump when sleeping | Common options include clipping it to your pyjamas, placing it under your pillow, lying it beside you, or putting it near your bed |
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What You'll Learn
Where to place the pump while sleeping
There are several options for where to place your insulin pump while you sleep. Here are some of the most popular methods:
Clipping the pump to your nightwear
Clipping your pump to your nightwear is a popular option. You can put the pump into a pocket in your pyjama bottoms or waistband, or wear the pump clipped to your underwear or around your waist. If you are wearing a nightgown, you can clip the pump to the front if it has a V-neck collar.
Placing the pump under your pillow
If you don't move around much in your sleep, you can place the pump under your pillow. This also works if you sleep with a body pillow—you can place the pump under the pillow and move it with the pillow when you switch sides.
Lying the pump beside you
If you sleep with little movement, you can place the pump beside you on the bed. Make sure the tubing is long enough so that it doesn't disturb you. If you sleep with a partner, let them know where the pump is so they don't knock it off the bed.
Putting the pump near your bed
If you are nervous about rolling onto the pump or pushing it off the bed, you can put the pump on your nightstand or on the floor beside the bed. You will need a longer tube for this option.
Wearing an insulin pump belt
Insulin pump belts are bands that you wear around your waist to hold your insulin pump in place. They usually have a secured inside pocket that prevents the pump from slipping out.
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What to do if you roll onto the pump
Sleeping with an insulin pump can be daunting, especially for first-time users. However, it is important to know that the chances of damaging the pump or accidentally delivering a bolus of insulin while asleep are extremely low. Here are some things to keep in mind and some tips to help you sleep better with your insulin pump:
- Controls and Buttons: The controls of an insulin pump are designed so that buttons cannot be pressed accidentally. Delivering a bolus of insulin requires multiple button presses, so the likelihood of doing this in your sleep is highly improbable.
- Lock Mode: Some insulin pumps have a lock mode feature that prevents any accidental activation or changes to settings. This can provide extra peace of mind while you sleep.
- Infusion Set: It is unlikely that you will accidentally pull out the infusion set during sleep. In the rare case that this happens, most insulin pumps will sound an alarm to wake you up so you can reconnect it. Having a spare infusion set near your bed can make this process quicker and easier.
- Tubing Blockage: If you roll over the tubing, it is unlikely to get blocked. Most mattresses are springy enough to prevent this from happening. However, if you roll onto the infusion site, it may cause a temporary blockage of insulin delivery, but this is rare. Restless sleepers with insulin pumps can usually sleep in various positions without affecting the pump's function.
- Tangled Tubing: It is common for pump users to occasionally wake up tangled in the tubing. This is usually not a problem and does not interfere with sleep. The tubing is thick enough to prevent severe tangling and does not block insulin delivery. However, if this bothers you, you can try using less tubing or placing your pump in a pocket or an insulin pump belt to keep it in a fixed position.
- Pump Placement: There are several options for where to place your pump while you sleep. You can clip it to your nightwear, place it in a pocket, put it under your pillow, or leave it beside you on the bed or nightstand. If you tend to move around a lot in your sleep, placing the pump on the nightstand or floor beside the bed can help prevent tangling or accidentally knocking it off the bed.
Remember, it is normal to feel anxious about sleeping with an insulin pump, especially when starting. However, most people soon get used to sleeping with their pump, and it becomes a comfortable part of their routine.
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What to do if you press the buttons in your sleep
It is highly improbable that you will accidentally press the buttons on your insulin pump in your sleep. The controls are designed so that the buttons cannot be pressed easily. As setting a bolus involves more than one press of a button, the chance of delivering a bolus in your sleep is very low.
Some insulin pumps have a lock mode that you can set up for the night, which prevents anything from happening if a button is pressed.
If you are still concerned about pressing the buttons in your sleep, there are several ways to minimise the risk:
- Place the pump under your pillow. This works well if you don't move around too much during the night. You can also place the pump under a body pillow on your side.
- Lie the pump beside you on the bed. This works well if you sleep with little movement and don't shift around during the night. Ensure the tubing is long enough so it does not disturb you.
- Put the pump near your bed. This option is less common, but may be suitable if you are nervous about rolling onto the pump or pushing it off the bed during your sleep. Place the pump on your nightstand or on the floor beside your bed.
- Wear an insulin pump belt. These are bands that you wear around your waist to hold your insulin pump comfortably in place. They usually have a secured inside pocket that prevents the pump from slipping out during your sleep.
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What to do if you pull out the infusion set
If you accidentally pull out the infusion set, don't panic. It's unlikely that the infusion set will disconnect while you're sleeping, but if it does, most insulin pumps will sound an alarm to wake you up so you can reconnect it.
If you do wake up and find that your infusion set has been pulled out, simply grab a spare infusion set and reconnect your pump before going back to sleep. You may want to keep a spare infusion set near your bed to make this easier.
To prevent accidentally pulling out the infusion set, you can secure the tubing to your skin with a piece of medical tape. Arrange the tubing in a "safety loop" and then tape it down. If the tubing gets snagged on something, the tape will prevent the infusion set from being pulled out.
It's also important to choose an effective place on the body to insert the infusion set. This impacts how well insulin is absorbed and reduces the risk of pump-related problems. For example, for infusion sites on the buttock area, inserting the infusion set about 10 degrees up from the horizontal position can make it easier for the person wearing the pump to access the connection clip.
Additionally, it's recommended to change the infusion set at least 4 hours before bedtime. This allows you to check that the set is working properly and to adjust to the position of the pump before falling asleep.
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How to avoid getting tangled in the tubing
To avoid getting tangled in the tubing of an insulin pump, there are a few methods you can try. One option is to clip the pump to your pyjamas or underwear, with the tubing tucked inside. You can also wear the pump in a pocket, either in a t-shirt or workout shorts, or sew a pocket into your pyjamas. This will prevent you from waking up with the tubing wrapped around your body.
Another option is to use an insulin pump belt, which holds the pump in place around your waist. You can also purchase accessories such as the Titeline Insulin Pump Spooler, which secures excess tubing with a dial, keeping it close to the body and organised.
If you don't want to attach the pump to your body, you can place it under your pillow, or on the bed or bedside table if you don't move around much in your sleep.
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Frequently asked questions
Some ways to sleep with an insulin pump include:
- Clipping the pump to your pyjamas or underwear
- Placing the pump inside a pocket
- Putting the pump under your pillow
- Lying the pump beside you
- Placing the pump near your bed
- Using an insulin pump belt
Rolling onto your insulin pump will not damage it. The controls are designed so that the buttons cannot be accidentally pressed. Sleeping or rolling onto the infusion site may be uncomfortable, but your body will usually turn again in response to the discomfort.
It is unlikely that the infusion set will be pulled out during sleep. In the rare case that it does happen, some pumps will sound an alarm to wake you up so you can reconnect it.
