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!

We’re abroad and my Dd (3) wears either just bikini bottoms or a swimming costume. I’m not personally keen on bikinis on kids, not sure why really 🤷🏻‍♀️Yours is cute though and not a bikini as in a string type one
I don’t know what I’ll do as Dd gets older tbh

God help females - note to all women, when you wear a bikini you’re basically advertising yourself.
bandage down your boobs and burkas all round!

A lot of people use swim suits because they offer more coverage from the sun, I’ve seen little boys in swimsuits as well, but yes if you’re putting a toddler in a swimsuit because you don’t want to expose their non existent breasts then yes that’s sexualising a child. Just trunks is fine on young children.

is this tacky then?

uk.cupshe.com/products/mya-tropical-leafy-ruffle-bikini-for-toddler-girls-and-girls?variant=39860121567423&gbraid=0AAAAABWndwbhxxu09M2V-NnoD3sAmahLS&gclid=CjwKCAjwve2TBhByEiwAaktM1I7MFZQaBeFPi8yp_w7oWl1ihkJLqzS2APJL3qnQhOSv4v-WOg7fyhoC0AIQAvD_BwE

Oh perlease- only on mn would you see a boy in a swimsuit.

theres nothing sexualised or inappropriate about what a two year old wears, and people thinking that there is, is weird in itself.

id seek professional help if you ever look at a child and see something sexual!

My daughter had something similar when she was about five. She chose it herself and loved it. We bought it in a very tasteful shop in a Brittany resort. Nobody thought of it as sexualised at all, with its crop top.

@OnlyFoolsnMothers Do you work for the bikini marketing board?!

You're really trying to start something on this generally quite laid-back thread of people either saying 'that bikini is cute and fine' or 'it's neither my taste nor my business'

Personally, if she chose it, she's far more likely to put in on and wear it without drama (pick your battles I reckon) - and it does not look like an adults bikini, it looks like a cute child bikini.

And yes I would agree, much more practical when they declare they urgently need a wee and you only have pants to get off rather than trying to peel off a wet swimsuit from a child bouncing up and down because they are desperate for the loo.

I don't like bikinis with little triangle bra type tops on little girls, because I think they look ridiculous and uncomfortable, but that top looks perfectly comfortable to wear.

Do they think little boys in speedos look sexualised too? Or would it have been less of an issue if she only had the bottoms on? People are just weird and judgemental.

If I saw her in it, my only thought would probably be - oh that's cute, and then I'd probably need to ask where you got it because dd would think it was the best swimsuit ever.

It’s uncomfortable for me too, hard to articulate but I think because bikinis for women are attire that’s designed to show off the female body and skin. I don’t look at people who’ve put their kids in them and think ‘they have sexualised their child’ but now that you are raising it, I don’t see why a woman would wear one, other than to look sexy or to suntan, neither of which are ok for 2yr olds.

I have a picture of me in a bikini aged two in 1964. I just look like a chubby baby. There is nothing sexual about it.

There’s no way on earth I’d put my 2 year old in that. I do think bikinis on little children is horribly tacky and the “bra” part is iffy yes although I wouldn’t say sexual. Breasts don’t need covering like that until they are actually close to being breasts. I like children to dress like children and not mini adults.

But it’s entirely my opinion, others can do as they wish and I’d not voice it aloud.

No I’m just flabbergasted at how females are judged and referred to even at 2yrs old!

I'd have no issue with that bikini and I'm quite prudish over kids' swimwear.

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow Sun? Child's preference? I didn't say it was necessary.

I'm saying there are reasons why it might be preferred over the two obvious alternatives. All 3 options are fine.

Dd1 has always worn bikinis/two pieces/tankinis whatever as the is slim and ridiculously tall. Regular costumes don't fit her. Your dh was right to reply as he did, she is simply wearing a two piece swimming costume which she likes. Dd1 had a navy one when she was about 4 with frills which floated in the water as she swam. Not in anyway sexualised.

I’ve seen loads of girls and boys in swimsuits to protect them from the sun.

I don’t like bikinis in little girls because of the bra thing- I think it’s unnecessary to pretend their flat chests need covering.

My girls wear swimsuit bottoms and rash vests (or not- depending on the sun) or one piece suits. have started to put the 9 year old in bikini tops this summer but she’s still very oblivious. Long may it last.

That said I don’t feel the need to comment on what other people chose- yours is a perfectly fine bikini for a kid- albeit it’s not my thing.

Way more appropriate I see ! 🙄

Much easier if you have a toilet training 2 yo or one wearing swim nappies!

I like it. She's 2yo. Your DH was absolutely right in what he said.

@OnlyFoolsnMothers You're flabbergasted at people saying 'bra tops on small children isn't to my taste, but how you dress your child is none of my business'?

Bizarre.

Kids just tended to run around in pants or bikini bottoms up to the age of about 6 when I was a young girl. We used to chuck on a t shirt if it got too sunny. I don't think anybody took any notice.

It’s a swimsuit to protect from the sun, like I said. If you want to put your baby in a bikini crack on, but if other people think it’s distasteful then they’re allowed to think that.

The most important thing to me here is that she loves it! Good for her and yahboo to those old biddies (regardless of their age!)