When do you let your DDs have bikinis?

[Anonymous2029]

Went swimming with a friend today, our daughters are 5. Her DD was wearing a bikini. My DD asked if she could have one, I diverted as she already had a new costume this year so doesn’t need a new one. I felt really I wouldn’t buy one for her until she was 8/9. But Im not really sure why I have this arbitrary age!

AIBU? Would you have an age limit?

Dd had a tankini type set when she was about 6 or so.

At any age they liked. But a one piece works better for serious swimming - unless it’s a very supportive and well fitting bikini.

I don’t think I have one. My dd is 9 and a half and has a swimming costume at the moment but has had a tankini in the past. Not a bikini though with like triangle bits covering the boob area if that’s what you mean? Mine hasn’t asked for a bikini like that. But I’ve been happy for her to have a tankini top with bikini bottoms or shorts

DD1 has never asked.

I told DD2 it would after puberty began.

I think it depends on the style of bikini. The ones which are more like a tank top and pants- no different to a swimsuit. The ones which are like a bra- no way until teenage. I’m dressing my DD in a rash vest and shorts as more sun coverage!

For beach holiday - tankini style 2 piece so much easier for toileting.

not saying a skimpy sexualised bikini on a toddler - but I found the larger 2 piece ones - far easier on holiday

Only need a bottom at that age really, what is there to cover?

My dc grew up in a hot country so they did get more use from their swimming costumes than just a couple of months but they always had one sensible one piece and one of their own choice.

And actually they both seemed to voluntarily wear their sensible one piece Speedo costume more often than as they wanted to enjoy the water rather than hoik up bikini bottoms. The last time I bought them swimming things they were 15 and 17 and we were going to the Caribbean and they both bought one pieces.

An advantage of a bikini is that is lasts a couple of years as they don’t grow out of them as quickly.

DD has been wearing this sort of style since she was about 5

DD had bikinis since she stopped wearing nappies. We spend alot of time swimming in the summer and it was much easier for her to go to the toilet in a bikini type costume. I hadnt given it much thought. They've always been a crop top style with bottoms similar to big pants. I've never noticed that she was in the minority bikini wearing wise

What's wrong with just bottoms, or normal child-style two piece in that age?

Boys would be ok at just the bottoms, so why do you feel your DD needs impractical (unless serious swimmer) one piece with wet fabric over the belly which is harder to manage at a toilet?

I have a picture of me in a bikini when I was 2 I think. I have never even considered that a bikini would be innapropriate for a child.
Its not suggestive to me in the slightest.
And if a pervert is around the pool then I doubt a swimsuit would make much difference.
There are also bikinis like pamela anderson style high leg string bikini or bikini as in a two peice crop top and pants. I think most kids bikinis would be of rhe latter style.

I live by the sea and my son wears a rash vest at the beach as it saves me having to suncream his whole torso. We are very pale though. If I had a daughter would probably choose a tankini for that reason, so the tummy area was protected from sunburn.

For a swimming pool I'd say the picture above with the crop top style looks like a sweet, appropriate swimming costume for a little girl.

My DD is 8 and I bought her first one around 6 - a Boden type one with little shorts and she’s had a few tankini ones too. We’re off on holiday with a few this year - it’s sunburn I’m most worried about so I’ve found few with covered shoulders.

I bought mine around 5. Its just pants and a short top. Much easier for swimming and going for a quick wee. Nice and lightweight.

People that sexualise children aren't looking at their belly buttons.

One thing I love about the ones we have is the full butt coverage. I've lost track of all the girls pulling their suits out of their bums when they climb out the pool during lessons.

Once wearing a bra has been my transition point

My girls wear tanking from very young as do i myself

When she wants to buy one!

Makes little difference in the local pool and if we're swimming in rivers/sea it's rash vest and board shorts occasionally but mostly wetsuits in Wales.

We're of Irish heritage so burn in the sun so I'd never advocate a bikini without a rashie.

not until they were teenagers/ bra wearing size . I remember some girls tried to wear bikinis for school swimming lessons and got swiftly told to go and get changed and bring a one piece.

Unless you have boobs, bikini tops always ride up.

Mine was 6. She wanted one since I always wear bikinis. She was happy and therefore I was happy. Personally I don’t see an issue with them and think it’s disgusting that people are sexualising children in such a way that they think it’s inappropriate to see their belly button whilst on holiday. It’s hardly an uncommon thing considering M&S, Next etc stock plenty that are designed for young girls.

Tankini totally different and I’d allow at any age