Padded bras for six-year-olds?

Another disturbing product alert from Feministing--Bratz brand padded bras for girls ages 6 to 7.

The Herald Sun reports that branded "bralettes" are hitting the shelves:

Breast-enhancing added bras for girls as young as six are being sold in Victorian shops.

...Tiny matching lingerie sets of lacy bras and knickers in many children's brands including Bratz, Saddle Club and Barbie, have hit the shelves aimed at girls who are barely old enough for school.

The Herald Sun last week revealed the latest Bratz Babyz range included sexually provocative baby dolls dressed in leather and lingerie.

The padded Bratz "bralettes" were among more than 30 different junior bra styles starting at size six on sale at a city Target store visited by the Herald Sun yesterday.

...Bratz distributor Funtastic defended the range.

"The idea of the padding is for girls to be discreet as they develop," a spokeswoman said.

What really bugs me is the spokesperson's excuse. She claims bras are padded in order to conceal the fact that pre-pubescent girls don't have breasts. Yes, young girls should learn that breast-abscence is a problem that requires a discrete solution.

[Feministing]