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 put my son (3) in long shorts, fitted like leggings so they're better for swimming and a rash vest, I would dress a daughter the same. Sun protection should be the priority.

I don't see really why a 4 year old can't just wear bottoms anyway. My dd still wasn't toilet trained at 4 (asd) so she wore a swim nappy and rash vest

I’m a bit older so maybe that makes a difference, but I hate seeing very prepubescent girls in bikinis. It is basically saying that little boys nipples can be seen, but little girls nipples need to be covered…what message does that send to adults and kids that somehow very small girls nipples are different from boys.
In a one piece it doesn’t draw attention in the way a bikini does of a big red flag saying “ nothing to see here of female nipples”

But frankly just put small female tots in boy type trunks, or better still get them costumes that give them some sun protection….I have had 3 skin cancer patches removed because my parents didn’t cover me up and I got sun burnt aged 9.

I had pink sporty bikinis all the way through my childhood. Far easier to go to the loo and less fabric to dry