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!

well that’s a misleading take on my point.
that swimsuit isn’t to my taste fine
that swimsuit sexualises a child- wrong
bikinis sexualise woman- wrong

If you can’t see that how you have referenced and judged female clothing and female bodies on this thread than I can’t help you! But it’s indicative of the wider problems women face! It’s very saddening really- “of course boys can wear swim suits and dresses- Omg that girl is wearing a tank top”’ !!!

@Barrawarra women also wear bikinis because it's easier to change and for comfort (esp if their top/bra size is very different from their bottom size)

That does look tacky to me. Bad choice of photo. Why do they not just photograph the clothes, without the child?

Pardon my complete honesty, but if you're asking for opinions, sorry I think it's hideous for a toddler.

If it were padded I’d find it odd attire for any pre-pubescent child. But at two anything goes - naked, pants, one piece, bikini, nappy. Well done to your husband for speaking up.

I would just put the bottoms on a two year old. No need for a bra!

WRONG WRONG WRONG
you’re allowed not to like it
you are not allowed to call it distasteful! Nothing about my daughters bodies are distasteful, regardless of what they wear. You should be ashamed of your comments!

Guess like most clothes websites, they contain a model

I think this sums up the problem quite well. Some see it like this, I think I probably do really, but some see it from the point of view that they are concerned not everybody does, and it is those people that they worry about, which I can also see.

There's nothing wrong with the bikini, if you DD chose it, then why not let her wear it?
I buy all in ones with legs and arms but that's because my DD is a red head and we're regularly out in the sun. I see nothing wrong with a bikini indoors at a pool.

Unfortunately if somebody is a paedophile, they will be attracted to children no matter what they are wearing 😢

@OnlyFoolsnMothers But I haven't said those things? I don't think bikinis sexualise children, I just don't think they're cute.

I did say a child in a bra is inappropriate because children don't need to wear bras? As far as I'm aware, toddlers aren't routinely wearing bras?

That was as distinct from a bikini top which, again, just isn't to my taste.

So it's ok for kids to model bikinis, and yet, I don't think that you would expect to see kids underwear modeled? I hope not at any rate. This is similar, therefore in this case, your example, it's tacky.

I prefer rashies for my kids, but only because if we're outside I don't want the faff of sun cream.

That said my 3 year old would love it. She's a HUGE Moana fan and is desperate for a swimming costume that has her tummy out like Moana. I stupidly said Moana has her tummy out because she lives in a hot place. Now DD wants her tummy out on holiday or whenever it's 'hot'.

Ha! When my DD was little I just put her in bikini bottoms like they do on the continent. She always looked really cute, nothing sexual about it.

Im not massively comfortable with small children in bikinis, they seem to remind me of minipops (for those of us who are a bit of an age)

But on a different note I wouldnt say the women were 'rude' as others have said, they didnt go up to OP or her husband and start slagging off the clothing choice, they were just talking between themselves, like most of us do when we're out and about. Are people not to talk about other people ever now?

Interesting point but swimwear isn’t considered underwear but like all other clothing

It's swim wear.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with it.

The people doing the 'sexualising' or the actual perverts are the problem.

What’s inappropriate about a bra for a two year old? Oh maybe the fact that they don’t have breasts?

I think it’s cute and so obviously for kids. I wouldn’t go for something sexy like a g string but it’s easier to get them in and out of bikinis than a swimsuit. My little girl has a few of each plus rash vests for holidays. Personally I’m not a fan of just stripping boys/girls down to their pants it just looks like you can’t be bothered to get them proper swimming togs. I’ve never seen a boy in a swimsuit.

If it was a bikini with a string/triangle top I could see their point, but that one is perfectly suitable for a child. (As would be just the bottoms, or bottoms plus t shirt, etc).

Exactly this. I don’t think bikinis are okay for little ones to wear, but I wouldn’t dream of saying anything.

Like many, I don’t like small children in bikinis but equally what you’ve posted isn’t really what I’d class as a bikini as it’s like a crop and trunks not a bra/ bralet and pants.

i tend to put mine in sun safe suits or the short sleeved all in ones but that’s personal choice

I didn’t say a bra for a two year old- I’m pointing out that you are implying a bra is something to be ashamed of in general.
a bra is just a piece of clothing.

I’m allowed to call clothes inappropriate or distasteful or anything else I want to call them, they’re just clothes, it’s not a criticism of your daughters bodies it’s a criticism of the clothing you put on them, that’s a key difference.