Toilet training and infusion sets?

[admin]

Question from a parent:

Hello, my son was diagnosed as Type 1 at 18 months. He is now nearing 3 years of age. He uses a Medtronic Minimed pump. His infusion sites are on his thighs or on his upper buttocks. We are careful w/ the sites during diaper changes, etc. Toilet training is now on the horizon for him, and we're afraid that he is going to be pulling out infusion sites as he pulls his pants off, etc. Do any readers have experience with this, and if so what did you do to protect the sites ? Thank you.

[powershome]

My son was diagnosed at 22 months in July 2009 and will be 4 in September.  We have tried to potty train but he is stubborn and says "no thank you!" when ever we try to get him to sit on the potty.  He wears the Animas one touch ping on his belly or bottom.   With the warmer weather we were going to consider taking him off the pump a couple of hours at a time so we could keep him out of a diaper (including pants) and pre bolus him with small doses of insulin (he won't wear a belt or a pack to hold the pump).  He is also on the Dexcom CGM so we can connect him back sooner if he starts to trend upward.  Good luck!!!  Little boys can be stubborn, then add in the D! 

[greenan]

My daughter is 4 and uses the minimed 522.  Potty is easier when she is wearing her pump belt because she just lifts it up to sit on the toilet, but I will tell you that even when she has it clipped to the side of her pants and pulls it down, it has never tugged her infusion set out and we install on the buttocks and thighs as well.  She also may not be as rough as a little boy can be though.  She just knows to be gentle with it because, A) she doesn't want it pulling out because she would have to re-install it, B) it kind of hurts when it tugs from her body, I think.

[tracyd]

I am so glad I found you parents! Our son is now two and was diagnosed at 16 months old. Before his diagnosis, he was already doing very well with toilet training. He would happily and willingly want to go on the potty when he had to pee, and didn't mind pooing in it either. Ever since he was diagnosed, the thing I notice most is his urination. Before, he was waking up randomly or after naps with a dry diaper.  Now it seems like he can't go 5 minutes without urinating, which is making the potty training go backwards! I plan on addressing this with his pediatric endo next time I see him, but was wondering if anyone else has encountered this as well? Granted I know when their glucose is high, they may intake more fluids, but even when his levels are perfect, we're still encountering this!!!!!!!!!!