AIBU to let my 2 year old wear a bikini?

[Bluebirds1987]

DH and I are staying in a holiday park and today we took DDs (2yr old and 8 month old) swimming in the pool. It was full of parents with children.

DH said just now that while we were there, he overheard some women looking at me and DD1, discussing that the bikini she was wearing "sexualised" her.

Its a Little Mermaid bikini with frilly detail and sparkly bits. DD1 Picked it out herself and she absolutely loves it. DH took great joy in chipping in that it's only sexualising her if you look at it that way, before telling them that's his daughter.

I honestly never even thought about it that way, to me she's just a little 2 year old girl in a Disney outfit and if I'd heard them I'd have been fuming! I have never come across anything like this before and it's the first time she's worn it, I'd like to think I can dress her in whatever she likes and feels confident in and that it's their problem they don't think it's appropriate, not mine.

But, I'm open for debate.

Were they out of order, or should I not let my 2 year old show her bare tummy in a public place?
Photo showing the bikini in question!

It’s them not you. Nothing wrong with that bikini.

It’s not what I’d choose for a 2yo simply because I always keep my kids in rash vests as it’s easier than constantly worrying about sunscreen. It’s hardly sexualised though - I’ve seen toddler bikinis with triangle top bitstream padded tops which I think are vile but that’s just a crop top and trunks. Don’t worry about it.

I don’t think it’s the bare tummy so much as the pretend bra….bikinis on children make me feel a bit uncomfortable. But I would never say anything.

Nothing wrong with it at all! My only worry would be sunburn but I assume you’ve got that covered. It’s a them issue, totally.

Your DH was right

there are plenty of years for a girl to wear a bikini. My DD was 11. I wouldnt have considered putting her in a bikini at 2. I would have ensured she was covered appropriately due to the risk to her skin from the sun

It's absolutely fine.

If people are sexualising children because of their clothing, that's their weird problem, not yours!

It's adorable - ignore them. What a bizarre attitude to have towards a 2 yr old presumably out having fun with her family.

It’s completely fine and totally agree appropriate. I just found some pics of my DD wearing similar when she was about 3 or 4 and I had forgotten how cute it looked

I don’t like little ones in bikinis, but I wouldn’t have commented.

More practical than a onepiece. More covered than just bottoms. It's fine.

It would only be sexualized if you were pretending she has boobs (because she doesnt). That is no different to a one piece in that regard.

I don't like little ones in bikinis, I think they look ridiculous and a rash top and bottoms is much cuter, I also can't be arsed with that much sun cream admin.

But it's literally none of my business what anyone dresses their toddlers in so you YANBU.

Your DH is right. There is nothing sexualised about a small child in a Little Mermaid costume bikini. I mean it's a crop top and trunks really.

We went to the beach last summer (not intended but the weather turned hot so we stopped off)

DC and friends DC wanted to play in the water so to avoid soaked through clothing DS and friends DD ran about in pants only. To be honest we didn't give it a second thought. They are toddlers and anyone who sees them as sexualised are the ones with problems.

The only thing that would concern me is sunburn. My two were in fairly coversome UV suits until they were about 6.

How ridiculous of the women. It's cute toddler swimwear!

At two I'd have just put mine in the bottoms.

I don’t like little kids in bikinis, mine won’t wear cropped tops of any variety anyway so never had to actively make a choice, she tends to favour a long sleeved rash vest and bottoms. If she desperately wanted to wear a bikini I don’t know how I’d feel about it tbh as I just don’t like them at all, she’s 7 and I think too young. It’s painful trying to get clothes that fit her that aren’t cropped without dealing with Boden prices 🤯 I don’t think it’s sexualised as such, just more grown up.

I don’t like little girls in bikinis tbh, I think it looks tacky and inappropriate for their age given the top is like a bra, but it’s your choice what you dress her in.

I was all geared up to say I'm not keen on bikinis on little girls......... But that one is not at all like an adult one, I'm sure she looked very cute in it😍, and I'd say more of a tankini🤷

Way easier than a one piece for changes
on a beach holiday I prefer more coverage due to the sun though

regardless you cannot sexualise a child- nor can you have child prostitutes- these people sound like deeply ignorant daily mail readers.

It's adorable.

I don't even see that as a "bikini". Its swimwear for a 2 year old child. Speaks more of them to be honest.

Screw them and let your little girl wear whatever she wants to!

What’s inappropriate about that bikini- in fact what’s inappropriate about a bra?

I would never put my baby in a bikini. There are two many freaks around!

Don't some girls who live in hot counties not wear a top at all?

I wouldn’t bay an eyelid at that. It’s a perfectly normal costume. Some people just need to have an opinion on everything.