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??

You know, I spent most of my prepubescent days (in a swimming context) either nuddy or just in bottoms.

I really REALLY struggled when I had to start wearing tops. It embarrassed me that I was different, that my life was changing, etc etc. Too much was changing at once.

Perhaps that is an argument for why wee girls should wear a top half even without anything up top? Not an advocate for the nasty triangle style tops though of course.

nocomet They don't need tops, but most little girls older than 3 or 4 will probably want a top.

Exactly, my DD wanted a top because that's what everyone else are wearing.

toddle I wear a bikini because I didn't realise I should go out and buy a separate swimsuit for the leisure centre!

However maybe I'm allowed because I'm married! I do have three tramp stamps though

slithytove exactly. I had bikinis and tankinis. I am far past the stage in my life where I give a toss how good I look in them.

my DD couldn't give a stuff what anyone else is wearing, she loves her flamingo swimming costume. I bought a bikini for me the other weekend (haven't had a bikini in years) and she thought it was beautiful, but she didn't want one herself. To be honest I think she'd rather be in the buff but the idea of a sunburnt bottom and sand up her arse just makes me wince.

I hate the 'nothing to cover up' argument. I think because that and 'it's silly' and 'it's a fad' were the phrases that were used to make me feel like an idiot for wanting nice, fashionable clothes and to fit in with my friends. My mother is also against 'young girls' in bras. I think she thinks they are sex clothes so it's much better for you D cup breasts to be visible through your school shirt than to wear them.

YANBU - bikinis were designed to be sexual and were very controversial when they were first made. It is this that makes me uncomfortable when I see small girls in them. They are children for such a short time, let them stay that way instead of trying to make them mini adults.

Exactly Louisa - what comes next?

Child sized stockings in place of tights because the girls want to be just like mum...

Some bikinis, ie the more 'adult' styled ones do look very strange to me
yaybabyblog.com/category/toddlerbaby-fashion/

I suppose it's like normal dresses usually look lovely on toddlers but bodycon dresses, not so much!

Looking at that link has scarred me a little..

also don't get why the single mums with neck and tramp stamps feel the need to wear 3 bits of string when taking their children to the leisure centre

To give your husband something to go home and jack off about.

I too am scarred by that link

I got dd2 (4) a bikini a few weeks ago in anticipation of summer. The too is more of a tankini/crop top than a proper bikini top.

We have no choice as she will be getting an insulin pump in June and needs a waistband to clip the pump to and hook the tubing over.
Its a well cut bikini and actually looks lovely on her. Its not really anymore 'revealing' than a swimsuit.

We live in Europe and most of the toddlers wear just swim nappies and bottoms regardless of whether they are girls and boys, in fact loads of girls up to the age of 7/8 only wear bottoms. When we first went to the pool it completely surprised me as I have never seen this in the UK before but then I just realised people here don't make a big thing about nudity in children and it's much more relaxed. I mean god forbid you can even take a photo in the swimming pool without been thrown out.

Maybe it's just a different culture but I actually like that babies and toddlers can run round with nothing on and nobody things anything of it.

No, no, no - Macocious's link has just entirely summed up why I think some bikinis aren't the best choice on toddler girls!

Yes they're weird. Why the need to cover a toddler's nipples? If you want separates for quick nappy changes, just put them in bottoms.

Are we all going to need counselling after clicking on that link??

It's not just bikinis. I hate seeing small children in shoes with heels, or halter neck backless t-shirts or sundresses. It just looks wrong, in my view.

That link.... Urgh!!!

She's one of those women who will have her DD parading around in a bunch of child beauty pageants by the time she's 3.

There is more wrong with that link than just the bikini

macocious those really aren't to my taste. My picks are cheap and chearful like these

direct.asda.com/george/girls/swimwear/girls-tankinis/D4M3G10C10S2,default,sc.html

slithytove yes, I wonder why there's a blog devoted to toddlers in bikinis.

Why don't little girls just wear trunks/ swimming shorts? (Genuine question...) I agree with Terrypratchett way upthread, why cover something that isn't there?

macocious - just horrible (the link - not you!) Has anyone read a short story by Joanne Harris - Think it's called Candy Kiss Girls? Made me think of that

I can see the objections to sun exposure, but I've never seen a bikini on a child as being anything other than a choice of swimwear...