To let my 4yo wear a bikini?

[savedbyanalien]

I'm not sure where my DD (4) has got the idea in her head that she wants to wear a "pink or yellow bikini" to the beach when we go on holiday soon. She currently doesn't own one, but has a couple of normal swimsuits.

Part of me thinks she can wear what she likes, and I'd like to buy her something she's specifically asked for. But the other part of me is wondering if I'm "sexualising" my child?

FWIW there are plenty of bikinis being sold in the 3-4yrs size range so I can't be the only one buying them?!

So AIBU to let my 4yo wear a bikini on the beach?

I'd opt for something like this www.next.co.uk/style/st891299/a45023?dp=a&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_4-SBhCgARIsAAlegrVpwywwS-ToUgGrD3Tpvure_KYBM4NvXWD7uJdRH0run42cQOieTpUaAtrsEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#a45023 . Tbh I really don't like little girls in skimpy little bikinis and because they're so active and don't actually have anything to hold them in place the fabric tends to move and make them even more exposed.

I remember wearing a bikini at age 6 and being deeply embarrassed. It was showy, there is a photo of me in the pool and I am trying to cover my tummy

Not sexualised at all. Nothing cuter than a little toddler belly in a 2 piece!

I always put mine, boys and girls, in 2 pieces with covered shoulders for holidays.

Your sexulising your child IF YOU are making her wear it

Why does a child need a two piece though? Just a pair of bottoms is fine isn’t it if we’re not sexualising female children and it’s for convenience of going to the loo? Or protection from the Sun a two piece Sun suit would be better?

I don’t have them for my DDs because when I thought about it, I couldn’t get past the idea that they were basically covering up their nipples. It felt really weird to me when I actually thought about it. Why do little girls need to cover up their nipples? They don’t have breasts.

In the end I went for tankinis for the convenience of a two piece.

Which I guess still adheres to the covering up of the top half but there was something definitely sexualised about a bikini that I couldn’t put my finger on but felt uncomfortable.

Tankini yes. Bikini no. I think it's tacky on small children. Also the less sun exposure on delicate skin the better.

Don’t they just run around and play in the bikini briefs only at 4?

Why wear the top half? Of course it's sexualising girls because the only reason is to cover up their nipples. Boys don't have to do this.

Of course it's fine. If anyone finds this in any way sexual then they have a real problem. My DD just used to wear bottoms on holiday at that age because it was more comfortable.

I've never seen the point of the top half of a bikini on a pre pubertal child. But wearing the bottoms is fine and no different to trunks that boys are put in.

If a top is needed for sun protection you are better with something like a rash vest.

@hangrylady

Of course it's fine. If anyone finds this in any way sexual then they have a real problem. My DD just used to wear bottoms on holiday at that age because it was more comfortable.

Well wearing bottoms is not what is being discussed, the issue is why would a toddler need to wear a bra top? Bottoms only or bottoms and a rash shirt / sun protection top all makes sense, bra or cropped top not so much.

Yabu to get a bikini

A tankini however is fine (as in covering similar to a one piece, but in two pieces)

My children wore UV suits at this age which covered arms to elbows and legs to knees

I find a 2 piece easier but I do prefer one that covers the belly with UV protection as it’s less to add suncream to. I put my son in a 2 piece for the same reason (when I can, they both strip off the top half when they feel like it)

I'd go for the most uv coverage tbh

I don’t see why people have a problem with them my daughter has always worn bikinis when we go to the beach and she’s 4

She doesn't need a top at all - I never understand what people are trying to cover up. Unless it's for sun protection, in which case a rash vest is going to work a lot better than a bikini top.

YABU. A 4 year old on a beach holiday should be covered up in a UV sun suit. Their skin is so delicate.

Its just swimwear. I wish people would stop insisting that little girls clothes are sexy. Are boys swimming trunks sexy?
Bikinis are practical. Its also nice to feel the sun on your skin.
Mine wore just the pants at that age, but occasionally the top too. I had a bikini as a child too. Its. Just. Swimwear.

I don’t have them for my DDs because when I thought about it, I couldn’t get past the idea that they were basically covering up their nipples. It felt really weird to me when I actually thought about it. Why do little girls need to cover up their nipples? They don’t have breasts.

I agree. I hate seeing prepubescent girls in bikinis. Just the bottoms, absolutely. Or the bottoms plus a rash vest/UV top, sure. Or a tankini that basically looks like a swimsuit but is more practical, of course.

But little girls wearing an unnecessary piece of fabric to cover up their nipples - so strange.

You're only sexualising it by thinking that. She's a child. And 100% more practical for the toilet.

YABU because that’s not good enough sun protection. She should wear a sun suit, or trunks and a rash vest or similar.As a minimum a one piece with a T-shirt

I put mine in UV all in one things on the beach because it’s easier to lotion them up. Don’t suppose a tankini is any different to a swim suit, but I personally wouldn’t buy a 2 year old a bikini with a bra/crop style top.