CompletedInterventional

Bathing babies in neonatal care

We are studying how often newborn babies in special care units should be bathed. Babies' skin has helpful germs that protect them from infections. However, babies born early or who are unwell might have delicate skin or need procedures that can make them more prone to infections. Bathing can clean their skin, but bathing too often might remove these helpful germs. We don't yet know the best balance. This initial study will help us understand if we can safely and effectively find out the ideal bathing schedule. We are looking at if bathing every 4 days or every 7 days affects how many helpful germs stay on the skin. The goal is to see if we can do a bigger study later to reduce infections and help parents feel more confident.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

University College London

Enrolment target

Start

14 Jan 2026

Estimated completion

03 Jun 2026

Developing a safe and effective way of determining how often babies receiving neonatal care should be bathed.

What is this study about?

When babies are born early or are unwell and need special hospital care, their skin can be very delicate. Their skin naturally has good germs that act like a shield, protecting them from infections. However, medical treatments might sometimes affect this natural protection, making them more likely to get sick. We know that giving babies a bath can help keep their skin clean and reduce harmful germs. But bathing too often might accidentally wash away some of those good, protective germs, potentially increasing their risk of infection.

At the moment, nobody knows the perfect balance for how often to bathe these babies to keep them safe and healthy. We also know that bath time can be a really special moment for parents to bond with their baby and feel more confident looking after them before they go home. This study is an important first step to help us understand if we can find a safe and reliable way to figure out the best bathing schedule. If this first study works well, it will allow us to plan a much bigger study with more babies to truly discover how often babies should be bathed to prevent infections.

We are looking at babies receiving care at University College London Hospitals (UCLH). The study will compare two bathing schedules: one group of babies will be bathed every 4 days, and another group will be bathed every 7 days. We will explore how these different schedules affect the skin's helpful germs and whether it leads to a higher or lower risk of infection. We will also ask parents and nurses for their thoughts, as their experiences are crucial to making sure any future studies are helpful and practical.

Key takeaways

This study aims to find the safest and most effective bathing schedule for babies in special care.
We are comparing bathing babies every 4 days versus every 7 days.
The goal is to protect babies from infections and help parents bond and build confidence.
This is an initial study to help us plan a larger, more detailed study later on.
Your baby's safety is our top priority, with close monitoring during baths.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for babies who are receiving special care at University College London Hospitals (UCLH). To be included, babies must have been born at 30 weeks of pregnancy or later, weigh more than 1 kilogram (about 2.2 pounds), and be generally stable and able to keep their body temperature steady. Their skin should be healthy, without any known skin problems, and they shouldn't need breathing support or special heart medicines. They also can't be already taking part in another study.

We also need parents who are over 18 and can give their permission for their baby to join the study. If your baby takes part, we might also ask parents and the nurses who cared for the baby if they would be willing to share their experiences in an interview afterward, but this is optional and only if they can speak English. We are looking for insights from those who have direct experience in the study.

Babies who were born before 30 weeks, weigh less than 1 kilogram, are unstable or need a lot of medical support (like breathing machines or certain medications), have serious skin conditions, or were born elsewhere will not be able to join. Parents under 18, or those who cannot give consent, also will not be able to participate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Is my baby receiving care at University College London Hospitals (UCLH)?
Was my baby born at 30 weeks or later, and do they weigh more than 1kg?
Is my baby generally stable, without needing breathing machines or special heart medicines?
Am I, as a parent, over 18 years old?
Is my baby not currently part of another clinical trial?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If your baby joins this study, they will be placed into one of two groups by chance, like flipping a coin. One group will have their babies bathed every 4 days, and the other group will have their babies bathed every 7 days. This will happen while they are in the special care unit at UCLH.

Before and after baths, the study team will gently brush a small, soft cotton bud (like a cotton swab) on your baby's skin. This helps us collect tiny samples of the germs on their skin. We will then look at these samples to see how the bathing schedule might affect the helpful germs on your baby's skin. We will also be watching your baby closely during their bath to make sure they are comfortable and safe. The total time your baby takes part will depend on how long they are in hospital and on the bathing schedule, but the study itself is running from January to June 2026.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer some important benefits. For your baby, the research might lead to better understanding of how to reduce infections for future babies in special care. For you as a parent, you will be supported to bathe your baby regularly while they are in the hospital, which many parents find helps them feel closer to their baby and more confident in caring for them. Your family will also help us plan a bigger study that could significantly improve care for many babies in the future by finding the best bathing routines. This study carries very little risk because bathing babies is already a normal part of their care in hospital. We are simply trying to find the best schedule. Sometimes, a baby's heartbeat or breathing might change during a bath, or their body temperature could shift slightly. We will have staff watching your baby very carefully during and immediately after their bath to ensure they are safe and doing well. Remember, if you or your baby's medical team feel that taking part is becoming too much, you can stop participating at any time, without needing to explain why.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
City only
London, England

Common questions

Why is this study needed?

We don’t currently know the best way to bathe babies in special care to protect their skin and prevent infections, and this study aims to find out.

Will my baby be safe during the study?

Yes, bathing is already routine, and your baby will be closely monitored by staff during and after baths to ensure their safety.

What do you mean by 'helpful microorganisms'?

These are good germs that live on everyone's skin and act like a natural shield, protecting us from harmful infections.

Can I still bathe my baby if I’m not in the study?

Yes, standard care will continue. This study is trying to understand if there is a better way to bathe babies and improve future care.

Who is paying for this research?

The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), a major health research funder in the UK.

How to find out more

Katie Gallagher

katie.gallagher@ucl.ac.uk 44 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.