Care, application & fit

Everything I know about getting a sticker on straight, keeping it there, and getting it off again without leaving a mess.

Read this first

These stickers are decorative. They go on the outside of the pump housing and nowhere else — never on skin, dressings, the stoma site, or any part of the feeding set, including the line, the connectors or the bag.

They are not a medical device, they aren't sterile, and they haven't been approved by any hospital or manufacturer. If your pump is on loan from a hospital or supplier, check with them before putting anything on it.

Keep the screen, the buttons, the sensor window and any vents completely clear.

Will it fit my pump?

Every design in the shop is cut for the Infinity Pump, because that's the pump I have. If yours isn't listed, send me a photo before you order and I'll tell you honestly whether it'll work.

PumpWhich option to chooseChecked?Notes
Infinity 2 PumpInfinity pump 2✓ ConfirmedCut for the Infinity 2 Pump lid. On Etsy, choose "Infinity pump 2" under Pump Model so I send the right cut. This is the pump I use myself, and customers have confirmed the fit in reviews.
Infinity 3 PumpInfinity pump 3✓ ConfirmedThe Infinity 3 Pump lid is a slightly different shape, so it gets its own cut. Choose "Infinity pump 3" under Pump Model at checkout.
Abbott / FreegoSend me a photoNot testedNot tested and no cut for it. Ask me and I'll have a look.
Infinity Pump (earlier model)Send me a photoNot testedI only cut for the Infinity 2 and the Infinity 3. If you're on an earlier Infinity, send me a photo of the lid and I'll tell you honestly whether one of the existing cuts will work.
Kangaroo ePumpSend me a photoNot testedNot tested, and no cut for it yet. Happy to look at a photo — I'd rather say no than sell you something that doesn't fit.
Kangaroo JoeySend me a photoNot testedNot tested on this pump, and I don't cut for it yet. Send me a photo and I'll tell you straight whether I can make something that fits.

Rows marked “not yet confirmed” haven't been tested on that actual pump. I'd rather say so than guess.

Putting one on

  1. Turn the pump off and wipe the top over with rubbing alcohol, then let it dry completely. It needs to be clean and fully dry before the sticker goes on — anything damp and the sticker will lift at the edges.
  2. Peel the backing off slowly, holding the sticker by the edges.
  3. Line one end up first, then lay the rest down gradually. Going slowly stops air getting trapped.
  4. Press it down firmly from the middle outwards for about 30 seconds.
  5. Leave it a few hours before it gets wet, so the adhesive can settle.

Taking one off

Lift one corner with a fingernail and peel the sticker off slowly, pulling it back at a low angle, close to flat against the pump, rather than straight up.

If any adhesive stays behind, use an adhesive remover, orange oil or similar on a cloth and rub it over the pump surface to lift any sticky residue. Don't use acetone or nail polish remover on the pump casing.

Cleaning and lifespan

  • Wipe with a damp cloth whenever you like. They're waterproof — a splash or a spill won't hurt them.
  • How long one lasts depends a lot on how much handling the pump gets. If yours starts lifting at an edge sooner than you'd expect,tell me — I'd rather know.

A few words, if you're new to this

Mostly for parents who've just been handed a pump and a lot of unfamiliar vocabulary.

Tubie
Someone who has a feeding tube. Also used for the kids and adults who use them.
Pump
The machine that pushes feed through the tube at a set rate. The Infinity Pump is a common one in Australia.
NG tube
Nasogastric — goes in through the nose and down to the stomach. Usually shorter-term.
PEG
A tube that goes straight into the stomach through the tummy wall.
Button
A low-profile version of a PEG that sits flat against the skin.
Line / giving set
The plastic tubing that runs from the feed bag through the pump to the tube.
Stoma
The opening in the skin where a PEG or button sits.

Still not sure? Send me a photo