The NeoBath Study: SPIRIT reporting guidelines checklist

In the UK, neonatal sepsis is estimated to affect 5% of babies admitted for neonatal care. Babies who are born preterm or unwell can be at even more risk of sepsis, as they may have thin skin or may need procedures as part of their care that could potentially damage their skin. Bathing babies may help to reduce sepsis by removing harmful skin bacteria; however, we do not know how often to bathe babies for this to make a difference. This feasibility study aims to determine the feasibility of a neonatal swaddle bathing intervention, identifying primary outcome measures, usability, and acceptability to inform a future trial exploring the impact of neonatal bathing upon skin colonisation and parent-infant bonding.