Bikinis for 5 year olds?

[AnotherAnnoyingMother]

What to do. We stayed with my 5 year old daughter's godparents this weekend and went swimming. Their 6 year old wore a bikini and in my absence her godmother 'promised' her a bikini as a Christmas or a birthday present. I am afraid I am in the 'not putting young girls in bikinis' camp and feel unhappy about this. I intimated this albeit gently in her presence but now think she may give her one. If I take it away or don't allow it to be worn I feel like I will be punishing her and be put in a difficult position. I still won't let her wear it but would any of you even consider giving a bikini to another persons young daughter?

[NameChange30]

If I had a daughter I'd put her in a tankini or crop top style two piece, but not an "adult" style bikini top (i.e. designed for breasts), and I would want to choose it myself. I wouldn't want anyone buying it for my daughter without checking with me first.

I do think a two piece is potentially more practical for going to the toilet and getting changed.

[user789653241]

When I was 4, I had bikini. I loved it. Felt like grown up a bit.
My parents aren't bothered to think it looked trashy or whatever on 4 year old. I still have picture, I look cute.

[user789653241]

When I say bikini for 4 year old, I mean something like ThePeanut's.
It's cute. That's it.

[ThePeanutGallery]

I do think a two piece is potentially more practical for going to the toilet and getting changed

So, so much easier. In fact I'm now wearing a bikini bottom and a rash vest (I'm too fat for a bikini at the moment) because it's just damned easier.

[NameChange30]

As an adult I prefer a one piece though - I find it annoying when I'm swimming and a bikini or tankini top rides up or gets dislodged! (When you jump into the pool or if you're in the sea and there are waves.)

[Gretia]

Can't she just wear the bikini bottoms if you don't like the top bit? That seems to be what most under 10's do when we're on holiday. I think one pieces are totally unpractibile on a beach/sitting by a pool all day.

Different if it's for a swimming lesson.

[May50]

My DD has a couple of tankinis. One looks like a swimsuit on, and one has a little gap at tummy. I feel they are more practical for the toilet. They are also crop tops and shorts style so not bikini style anyway.
I always wear a tankini again myself for easily going to the toilet , and I top mine with knee length shorts too! I would never let DD wear a grown up style bikini though.

[TempStamos]

I’ve always lets my DD’s wear bikini’s if they want to. Often is more practical and comfortable for them. One pieces never seem to fit right, too tight in some area and loose in others.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Funny how no one ever questions boys swimwear but will argue over a few inches of material on girls...

Running round naked is accepted but a crop top isn't.. . I just don't get it.

[RavingRoo]

‘Bikinis’ for kids are usually tankinis or croptops with big pants. If your dd wants one what’s the harm in getting her one?

[NameChange30]

I don't think it's in any way surprising that we question girls' swimwear but not boys' swimwear. The sad but true fact is that we live in a society that objectifies and sexualises not just women but also girls.

[RosyPony]

I used to wear them as a child in the 80's as I was very tall and slim and any costumes narrow enough for me were too short so a bikini was the logical solution.

[margaritasbythesea]

They are totally normal where I live due to the heat. That said, DD actually finds them a bit uncomfortable and puts on a rash vest in the sea, nothing on top on the beach.

[ArcheryAnnie]

If you know someone well enough to make them your daighter's godparent, then you know them well enough to say that you are not keen on bikinis, so she shouldn't get your daughter one.

[ErrolTheDragon]

Bikinis/tankinis are more practical under a rash vest (even moreso if your kid adds boardies too for watersports). Without a rash vest, I'd be inclined to think they'd make application of suncream even more of a pain.

Obviously if its a 'sexy' style then that's inappropriate for a child.

[minipie]

I used to be very anti bikinis for young girls but now I have a DD I am coming round because of the practical benefits - 1) going to the loo is much easier 2) works better with a UV top if it's very sunny.

I am still very very unkeen on anything triangle or adult style but crop top style is quite sensible I think. Like a swimsuit but with the middle missing. Or just let them wear swimming pants, a 5 yo really doesn't need to cover her nipples IMO!

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Or just let them wear swimming pants, a 5 yo really doesn't need to cover her nipples IMO

No they don't really.

But if they are going to be covered then I don't really think it matters how they are covered.

If covering is "inappropriate" then equally a rash vest, wet suit, swim suit, t shirt is jyst as i appropriate?

How is a crop top nore inappropriate?

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Thats what doesn't make sense.

[Gretia]

Yes op, i think if you would be happy for a ds to wear swimming trunks but not happy for your dd to wear bikini bottoms then ask yourself why?

[AuntLydia]

I'm with you Giles. All this - it's ok if it's not triangles is baffling me too! What the hell is sexual about triangles?! Me and my sister had matching pink bikinis for our first holiday abroad. The tops were even - gasp - triangles!! Nothing remotely sexual or overly grown up about them. In the photos we look just like the little girls we were. My two had bikinis for their holiday this year and, again, they are bikinis for little girls. They look cute in them. If anyone actually looked at them and saw something sexual in what they were wearing I would think the problem lay with them...

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Im.assuming triangles are usually those halter neck things needing tying up that don't stay put and could prove to he dangerous uncomfortable and annoying on small children (which is why I'd not consider them )

But ultimately covered is covered and bare is bare bit sure why it matters

[AuntLydia]

I assumed they meant this kind of thing...

Bikini

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Oh that would be fine.

I was assuming it was like the one I had which is a pain in the arse

That one would be fine. Nothing to come undone or get pulled around neck

[XJerseyGirlX]

DD5 has a bikini. If someone is going to sexualise something then they will.. don't need an item of clothing to do that.

Also dd for some strange reason always needs a poo 5 minutes after getting in the pool. Her Bikini makes it a lot easier than pulling a wet one piece down and back up.

[HappyLollipop]

I had one when I was about 5 and loved it, I don't feel as if there's anything inappropriate about showing tummy especially at that age however it's not something I'd buy for someone else's child unless the parents gave me permission to, she should have really asked you first before promising to get your DD one.