Bikinis on Toddlers...

[NiceCupOfTeaAndAPartyRing]

AIBU to feel quite uncomfortable when I see young girls (5 and under) wearing bikinis? I'm not sure if I'm being a prude or not, just seems there seems to be more and more of them. I in no way am saying ridiculous things like they're a 'target' for creepy advances, and of course there are often girls completley starkers on the beach etc, but that's not sexualised, just totally natural.
Somehow I just find it odd that you would want your kid in anything sexualised at that age - But perhaps bikinis aren't seen as sexualising anymore??
I even saw a Virgin Holidays ad with one on. I really don't know! AIBU or do others feel a bit awkward about this too??

Somehow I just find it odd that you would want your kid in anything sexualised at that age

And I think you are odd for thinking they are sexualised.

I find it

What's Virgin Holidays got to do with it?

I think YANBU, it's only clothes. I've got my DD a few bikini sets for going away because it will be easier over her nappy.

YABU, sorry.

Give me a 2 piece any day with a nappy wearing toddlerwho wwon't stay still. Yabu

I think it's odd to cover something that the child doesn't have yet. DD, however, is in one of those t-shirt and bottoms UV suits because the more the better with her skin. I'm more concerned that the girls have all that skin on show and the boys are covered. I used to get horribly sun-burned as a child and shorts and a sun top do seem more practical outdoors.

I agree, not a fan of bikinis on tiny girls

I find it stranger that under 5 is weird but over is ok! Bikinis are not sexualised and are easier when you have only just potty trained a toddler (hence why I'm considering one for dd).

I'm with you OP - I can't quite put my finger on it but it makes me a little uncomfortable too.

I suppose it's because a bikini top is like a bra and why would you put a bra on a 5 year old?? That's how my stupid logic works anyway

I think tankinis are ok and I can see the advantages, they make a rush to the toilet or changing swim nappies a lot easier.

Those awful triangle bikinis on children are absolutely ridiculous though.

If you are potty training, why bother with the top?

I find them a bit odd because kids have nothing to cover on the top half. I'd probably just dress leave dd topless if she had a bikini as the top seems pointless.
I can kind of see where you're coming from as bras for toddlers would be seen as wrong so why not bikinis.
I've never thought of them as sexualising children though.

And as has been said for safety reasons - children should be covered up in the sun as much as possible.

Good point terrypratchett

Little triangle tops look daft because they are useless, pure decoration. I can see the advantages of a two piece rather than a one piece though.

DD currently has this cute ensemble. Practical, covers for the sun, able to run around. Two piece for getting to the loo.

Yeah, I can definitley see the advantages re: potty training etc, never thought of it like that. I think it depends on the type of bikini perhaps. ThatWitch - I didn't mean over 5 is ok, I just meant I'm seeing more and more under 5 with them on. I don't think the parents in any way put them in them to make them look attractive, but as others have said, it would be weird to put a bra on.
AGH I'm torn!!

MrsTerryPratchett that's adorable.

Dd has a tankini or she wears the bottoms but with a t shirt for Sun protection. I don't like the little bikini tops.

When swimming at a pool she just wears the bottoms or an old pair of her brothers shorts style trunks. They are swimwear and easy to get down for the toilet and she doesn't need to cover her chest as it looks the same as all the three year old boys.

Depends on the bikini.
Cute
A bit weird

I personally won't be putting my child in a one piece unless they want one, it's a pain to take off to use the bathroom when it's wet and then put back on. Once they're potty trained, I think it when they should wear normal swim wear. You can have cute and tasteful bikinis for small children.

YABU. My DD wore hers last summer on holiday when she was 5 and do you want to know why? it easier to get on and off in a hurry when she needed the loo. only had to pull the bottoms down like if she was wearing knickers. I didn't buy it for her to look sexy in at all one had hello kitty on the other one butterflies. nothing adult or sexy about either.

My mil bought dd to be a little pink one... I've never given it any thought really

My personal preference is a swim nappy with a long sleeved uv suit over it anyway, but I can see that a 2 piece would be much easier. I never let my son swim topless so probably wouldn't let my daughter.

Your attaching adult interpretations into a child's clothing item.

It's swim wear and I find two pieces often fit both dds much better.

Why would you put a bra on a baby?

But why do young girls need to wear the bikini bit?
What's the point??

The bikini top indicates there is something behind the triangles that needs covering - just as teenagers/women wear the top to cover their breasts. It's natural people are going to make this association when they see little girls wearing bikini tops.

Giles , you may be right, perhaps that's why I felt awkward about it - because of the adult interpretation. I'd never thought of the practicalities, it makes pretty good sense now.