I'm not sure about you but I've never considered purchasing a bra for a toddler. The product buyers for UK online retailer, John Lewis, obviously think there must be a market for items such as these "vintage floral bras" because they now stock them.
The 2 pack of bras which sells for £8.00 (that's about R140) is described as being made from "100% cotton" and of course they provide "lasting comfort". Comfort for what exactly? The last time I checked, the average 2-year-old doesn't have breasts to support. That's because they're toddlers. Practically still babies!
The site also stocks the bras for ages 3, 4 and 5. And frankly it makes my skin crawl. Why are companies so keen on sexualising little girls in this way?
The Internet has spoken out against John Lewis through numerous tweets and Facebook posts.
@johnlewisretail @letclothesbe A bra for a 2 year old?! Shocked & appalled at John Lewis' sexualisation of toddlers. pic.twitter.com/WWx47BT4zt
— Chris Sanderson (@Carlnita) December 9, 2014
Under 5s do NOT need bras @johnlewisretail! I am shocked that this product exists. http://t.co/eCob9NUH7h
— Adele Jarrett-Kerr (@AdeleJK) December 10, 2014
Hey @johnlewisretail, please tell me this pack of bra tops for two year olds on your website is a technical glitch: http://t.co/1P4DUlh9uV
— Alison Perry (@iamalisonperry) December 10, 2014
Despite the obvious outrage, John Lewis has failed to remove the product from their website.
Bikinis and bras
There are some parents out there who may argue that purchasing a bra for your toddler who wants to be just like mommy is not a big deal. Especially with bikinis readily available for children as young as birth. Yes, birth. Don't believe me? Check out this bikini (which is one of many available) by Babi-Kini.
Call me a prude but I'm not comfortable with seeing little girls showing this much skin. Even if it's done in innocence and no matter how cute you may think it is, the reality of life is that there are very sick people in the world. And yes, by parading your baby around in a tiny bikini or a bra for that matter, it gives ammunition to already twisted people. It's a sad fact that may anger you, but it's a fact all the same.
UPDATE 10/12/2014
The John Lewis customer service Twitter account replied to us with this response:
@Parent24 An error in loading this item on our site meant it was labelled incorrectly by age and not by size. We’re changing this now.
— John Lewis (@JLcustserv) December 10, 2014
While I really hope that John Lewis has made a mistake, their John Lewis Girl sizing chart only offers sizes by age and NOT by size, so unless their bras are marked differently, I think John Lewis may be trying to cover up their rather large mistake. We've asked for further clarification on the matter. The product as of yet has still not been removed or changed.
UPDATE 11/12/2014
John Lewis has now changed the sizes of the bras for girls to 28AA, 28A, 30A, 32A. Their sizing guide has not been updated.
Would you purchase a bra for your toddler?