A major study suggests that bathing newborn babies just once a week could be better for their skin than the current NHS recommendation of two or three times a week. Researchers at City St George’s University of London are planning a large-scale trial to test the approach, based on findings from a smaller study that linked reduced bathing with a lower risk of eczema. The current guidelines advise washing infants two or three times a week, but the new research challenges this by highlighting potential benefits of less frequent bathing. The study found that limiting baths may help prevent eczema, a common skin condition in infants. The trial will involve thousands of UK families to gather more data on the long-term effects of different bathing schedules. Scientists are now preparing to launch the trial, which could lead to updated recommendations for parents and healthcare providers.