THEY don’t seem to think twice about splurging on their little tykes.

From made-to-measure designer shoes to thousand-dollar handbags, celebrities have been showering their tots with expensive material items previously reserved for adults.

Take Suri Cruise, the 4-year-old daughter of US actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.

The Sun reported that she has a designer wardrobe worth £2 million ($4.2m). An insider told the Brit newspaper: “They really splurge on Suri. She’s rarely seen in anything twice.”

The precocious little one globetrots with her mother in her very own custom-fit Christian Louboutin pumps, reported Forbes. The renowned French shoe designer usually designs for adults. Prices for a pair of kitten heels start from $1,050.

And in February, little Suri was spotted carrying a US$850 ($1,200) Ferragamo handbag, reported Us Weekly.

Not to be outdone, Shiloh and Zahara, daughters of celebrity couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, reportedly cruise around in designer togs too.

Five-year-old Zahara has been spotted with a US$330 coat by US designer Alice + Olivia and carrying a US$1,600 Valentino Histoire bag, according to various media reports.

Last month, Pitt spent US$10,000 at upscale Parisian children’s clothing store Bonpoint for 4-year-old Shiloh’s wardrobe, entertainment website X17 reported.

But is it going too far?

Suri’s love for kitten heels about 5cm high caused a furore when she first stepped out in them last year.

Health experts had said that wearing such heels at her age could negatively affect the development of her feet, UK newspaper Metro reported. Child psychiatrist Dr Brian Yeo of Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre told The New Paper that adopting such a lifestyle seems to signal “a need to shout one’s status”.

He added: “It may also encourage kids to bask in the limelight. If they’re used to the attention rendered, there’s a higher chance of them developing a sense of entitlement.

“They cannot settle for something less. They cannot understand their peers’ lifestyle which may be less extravagant and that the ability to spend large amounts of money is not prevalent in society.”

Theindulgence extends beyond clothing. Suri, the junior fashionista, has a penchant for wearing lipstick and clip-on earrings. She was recently photographed with Holmes choosing makeup at US cosmetics store Sephora.

Cruise also told UK newspaper Daily Express that Suri enjoys getting her nails done with her mum.

Similarly, UK TV personality Katie Price’s 2-year-old daughter, Princess Tiaamii, appearedon her reality TV series What Katie Did Next wearing stick-on false eyelashes and putting on lipgloss.

In the episode, Price remarked how her daughter looked like “a mini Mummy”. But Price’s ex-husband and Princess’ father, UK singer Peter Andre, blasted the makeover on UK breakfast TV show GMTV: “I’m absolutely disgusted... It’s a 2-year-old girl and to me, that’s disgusting.”

Psychiatrist Dr Geraldine Goh of Child & Family Guidance Clinic said parents are “sexualising” their daughters when they allow them to wear make up and heels. She said: “It’s disconcerting to see a 6-year-old wear mini skirts and heels. Adults are trying to mould them into little big girls.

“Kids’ self-esteem and confidence may be misplaced as they think they are beautiful only when they are dressed like this.”

Overindulged

Aesthetic physician Dr Karen Soh thinks allowing little girls to wear make up and heels is “ridiculous”.

The 37-year-old mother of three, including a 4-year-old girl, said: “They’re kids and they should do what kids do, which is to find out about themselves and the world around them.

“We use makeup to enhance our looks. But looking good should not be a priority for kids now. Furthermore, wearing heels is bad for young girls with undeveloped feet and spines.”

Senior analyst at a bank Lynn Dresel, 30, believes Hollywood stars go too far in overindulging their kids. Mrs Dresel, who has a 5-year-old daughter, said kids need to know “they can’t get everything andanything they want in life”. She added: “If parents always oblige, children will grow up expecting other people to accommodate to their wants all the time, which is wrong.”

But even if parents splurge on their kids, it should be balanced with some counselling. Dr Yeo explained: “Parents should explain to their children that not everyone dresses like them.

“Having a privileged lifestyle doesn’t mean they can look down on others. They have to be tolerant of other people’s attitudes.”

This article was first published in The New Paper.