As I may have mentioned once or twice (OK, I know I’m harping on about it but it’s exciiiiting) that we are off on holiday in a few weeks. Well, as such, we’re starting to take advantage of the ever increasing sales items and get holiday ready. The kids, well they don’t really need clothes, but where is the fun I ask you, in being a parent if you don’t get to flamboyantly throw money around in order to buy cute stuff to dress your children up like dolls? Especially Edith, call me gender biased, but dressing her up in cute stuff is my thing. Seriously. I always loved clothes and dolls, and really what is a rabunctious 18 month old if not a walking, babbling, boob-demanding, screaming doll? The stuff dreams are made of for 7 year old me… Sort of.
Anyhoo, I found a VERY cute bikini online. For Edith.
Hmm. To baby bikini, or not to baby bikini, this is the question…
When I was younger and a mother of boys, I was adamant that bikinis we’re totes not cool for babies and little girls – I’ll be taking that onesie thank you very much, there is no need for a bikini in this family. And then she arrived and got bigger and then I started to notice that baby and little girl’s bikinis are not the same as adult bikinis. Not even slightly.
They’re frilly and silly, cute and playful and never, ever, ever, I mean never, sexy. Ew. Then, can a bikini really be sexy unless we objectify and sexualise what is IN it. Take for example myself, a nearly 30 year old woman who has stretch marks (ahem, sorry, “tiger stripes” because apparently I should be proud of these hideous marks as I earned them – bugger off, you don’t “earn” stretch marks, you get em because you have skin that isn’t naturally elastic. Pftt.), dachshunds ears for boobs and a little more love handle than she would like. Am I inherently “sexy” to everyone? No. As a woman, am I sexualised? Yes. Is my body automatically open to speculation and if I wear a bikini am I “putting it on show” according to society? Sadly, yes. Now this might be dandy for some people and kudos to them, I have to say I’m not really fussed (#badfeminist) but ultimately I slotted into the auto-sexualised category because I’m female, however that doesn’t mean that my daughter would be, right? We don’t sexualise children, so what is sexual or “wrong” about a bikini? Nothing.
A bikini isn’t sexual, neither is lingerie (excluding that kinky shit – we all know that is sexual, crotch less panties are not for making it easy to piddle, though mothers have to admit that would be easy.. If not a touch embarrassing when the kids lift up whatever you’re wearing…) but as a society we do seem to have made it so, something we don’t do for trunks or speedo pants on boys, so, what’s the deal with a bikini and why are we auto-sexualising females?
What are your thoughts? To bikini or not to bikini?
H x
My little girl (2 years) have almost the same
No, I personally wouldn’t. A child’s skin is so delicate it needs to be covered up as much as possible… i also think bikinis are more for teenagers/adults children’should childhood is so short as it is let kids be kids I say 🙂
As long as you feel it’s appropriate then I’d say “go for it”!
Thanks lovely!
A baby bikini is (to me) just a two piece swim set. My girls had them as tots – no problem with them whatsoever. Kaz xx
I say as long as your have enough sunscreen on them for protection then go for it. It is a personal preference but there is a lot of psychology papers out there stated that if a parent evokes confidence in what their child wears then that child is more likely to grow up with a more confident body image
It’s so horrible that these things are sexualised but although not a parent I can see both sides, some see it as harmless they’re not the same but others worry about how others may look at their child. xo
Gosh how times have changed! I think bikini bottoms when baby are fine. Once they start getting bigger it’s a full or two pieces on. R
My mom didn’t let me have a bikini until I was a teen. I like it’s cute for baby’s to have bikini’s but it’s not necessary lol
xoxo, Candice
http://www.candicenikeia.com
I have 2 daughters and I never put them in bikinis when they were children, not because I thought they shouldn’t wear them I just did it as I wanted to protect them from he sun 🙂
Totally agree with you here! Nothing sexual unless you sexualise it! and they are SO cute!
Great pos, totally made me think.
My mummy wouldn’t put me in a bikini, a swimming cossie is just fine (but I am a toddler after all). Maybe when I’m a bit older to decide for myself xx Just more area to sunscreen!
Bikinis are just personal preference. I’ve never been a bikini person, just never liked myself in them x
I do not personally have kids and for me I would have been against bikinis on children because of silly people sexualising them but in all honesty the materials themselves are not sexy-sexual only us people make them that.
I’m not in favour bikini for small girls. It looks a little odd to me when small girl wears bikini. But of course it is matter of individual taste and opinion.
Personally, I’m of the “Not to bikini”. Cover them up for maximum sun protection I say
there is a lot of negativity around when it comes to baby bikinis. id be interested to hear the opinions
I think little ruffled and cute bikinis are so sweet! My twins had them with Little matching hats and also little skirts. I never thought of them as anything other than cute xx
I think you should do whatever makes you feel comfortable, I don’t think baby bikinis are sexual at all so whatever your daughter feels comfortable in is great!
I only have a boy, so I can’t talk from own experience, but I think that girl bikinis with frills are cute! 🙂
http://lilinhaangel.com/
I think it depends on the individual item but where unsure I’d go for a swimming costume for the mini one 😉
Personally, I would NEVER put my baby in a bikini – Full on UV suits all the way. My three are redheads though and burn very easily so need to be covered up 😀
I haven’t thought of that question before, but your little one looks totally cool in this little blue onesie :))
I have a 14-month old daughter. I always try to find swim suits (with SPF) for her that cover up as much as possible. I honestly don’t think there is anything wrong a cute, frilly bikini for a baby. But, I don’t want to have to worry about putting all that extra sunblock on a wiggling, squirming toddler!!
Hi Harriet,
You are absolutely right on bikini, that it not a sexual, neither is lingerie. Some funny but great article indeed. Baby is looking so cute due to his wonderful smile wear the green color bikini. The photo of baby on beach is captured very well and looking so beautiful.
I agree with you that in many family it’s ban to wear a bikini. Every family member don’t want to see a person wearing bikini in family. Glad to read your family experience in bikini wearing. You are definity right that baby and little girl’s bikinies are not the same as adult wear. I must say that to bikini for baby and little girl. 🙂
Thanks for posting it.
– Ravi.
I think your right, a bikini only becomes sexualized when we sexualize it. I wear bikinis but am I comfortable with my body? Not in the slightest but since I have the figure of an 8 year old boy I do not look sexy and I am glad I don’t. As for kids I think they can wear bikinis if they want , it is cute x
I personally wouldn’t dress my daughter in one, because I think that being more covered from the sun is good, but I wouldn’t judge any parent that did.
I have this debate over my daughter’s swimwear, so far she’s had just costumes to wear in the pool but I won’t be putting her in a bikini, simply because the bikini top is only there to cover up your nipples, and why on earth would I need to cover up my baby daughters nipples but not if I had a son. I was quite happy topless on the beach in my ibiza days but now I wear a costume bikini or tankini depending on how much coverage I want and the support I need ?. Now I know the costume argument is the same and really all she needs is a swim nappy but honestly she’s pretty cute in a costume and a lot less slippery! I think the real choice should be how warm is it and what should they wear, so a baby wetsuit, sunsuit and hat or just a swim nappy.
I’m mostly a no for a few reasons. An all in one gives better UV protection so I’d want that, especially in a hot country. Erin really feels the temperature of a pool so a bikini just wouldn’t cover enough of her to stay warm.
However, if when Erin was a bit older and wanted a bikini I’d be open to it. The style and cuts of children’s bikinis are not even nearly the same as a woman’s. You’re right in saying they’re frilly and fun so I wouldn’t mind too much.
Hahaha LOVE this. I feel the same way about my droopy boobs and wobbly bits with lines that look like a motorway.
Kid bikinis are so different aren’t they? My two are such tomboys I can’t see them ever putting one on