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Becoming a parent means you should be prepared to swipe your card often. Babies require a plethora of products — from strollers and baby clothing to carriers and toys.

Of course, grooming products are not exempt from the shopping list. And we all agree — bath time should be about carefree splashing and blowing bubbles. Unfortunately, for many parents, finding the right soaps and shampoos can be a source of anxiety.

Since babies have especially sensitive skin, it’s critical to find a safe, and gentle moisturizing shampoo. And, with so many FDA-approved baby washes and shampoos on the market — like Johnson’s, Aveeno, Cerave, and more — it’s difficult to determine which one is right for your little one. On top of that, we have to wonder how often our babies should have their hair shampooed and how much of the product to use.

For answers to these frequently asked questions and recommendations on the best baby shampoos, The Post consulted Ann Masciantonio, the Chief of Ambulatory Pediatrics at ChristianaCare. Masciantonio is a board-certified pediatrician who has cared for both outpatients and newborns for over 20 years.

Read on for Masciantonio’s recommendations on the best baby shampoos or head directly to our FAQ section for more guidance on washing your baby’s hair.

Specs: 27 ounces

As a pediatrician, Masciantonio always recommends that parents specifically look for shampoos that do not contain a few dangerous ingredients: “parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and alcohols.” She explained that these ingredients can “irritate and dry a baby’s skin.”

Johnson’s remains one of the most trusted brands in the baby sphere, for this very reason. Their simple formula washes away 99.9% of germs, and over 90% of the ingredients are of natural origin. For someone seeking a tried-and-trusted brand (that even my baby loves), we suggest starting with Johnson’s.

Specs: 8 ounces

Is your baby suffering from dry or flakey skin? Masciantonio stressed that it’s critical to find a shampoo that is soft on sensitive skin. There are a few key ingredients she suggests looking for: “Ceramides and hyaluronic acid help maintain moisture and the skin’s natural barrier.”

Cerave is one brand that meets both of those requirements. The wash contains three ceramides to reinforce the baby’s skin barrier, as well hyaluronic acid to help retain skin’s moisture, and added Vitamin E to soothe dry skin. This is a wonderful option for a baby that may need some more moisture.

Specs: 13.5 ounces

“We want to avoid shampoos that are highly fragranced. Fragrances may smell nice but might cause sensitive skin to become dry and irritated,” explained Masciantonio.

For a completely unscented shampoo, opt for Eucerin. While this is a slightly more expensive option, the formula is blended with a couple of key ingredients —  Vitamin B5 and natural shea butter to help nourish and soothe your baby’s delicate skin and hair.

Specs: 33 ounces

Masciantonio suggested that parents looking for shampoos with a sweeter smell should find one with a very mild fragrance. “We want to use a mild shampoo or body wash that has a light fragrance, if any,” she noted. Aveeno Baby fits the mark. The shampoo is formulated with natural oat extract, so there is a very natural, soothing smell. For those looking for a good pre-bedtime shampoo, the expert also suggested looking for something with lavender. “Lavender is a commonly used fragrance that might help your baby calm and fall asleep,” Masciantonio pointed out.

Specs: 13.5 ounces

The pediatrician highly advised that parents look for tear-free formulas. “No tear formulas really work, but if you do use one, be careful around the baby’s eyes,” she warned.

Cetaphil’s tear-free formula was specifically designed so parents don’t need to worry about a little bit of soap getting into their baby’s eyes (something that is inevitable during bath time).

For Masciantonio, the bottom line is to “avoid any product that is not FDA approved.” If you’re not inclined to dig through all the ingredients, it’s easy to turn to a trusted brand in the care and grooming space — that would be Dove, which can be found at almost every drugstore and may already be a staple brand for your own hair washing needs.

Their simple, tear-free formula has a light scent and is completely hypoallergenic. Reviewers say that the creamy texture spreads easily, and the fresh scent is a major plus for days wear a heavier-duty wash is required.

According to Masciantonio, “Baby body wash may also be used as a shampoo for your infant and vice versa.”

In the first year of life, washing the hair, and bathing in general, should occur three times a week at most, per Masciantonio. “Bathing every two to three days is recommended for babies that don’t have overly dry skin. Washing too often with soap or shampoo can result in over-drying the skin. A water bath works just fine for babies under one year old with dry skin,” the expert explained.

The pediatrician has recommended a few key ingredients in baby shampoos: “We want to use a mild shampoo or body wash that has a light fragrance, if any. Lavender is a commonly used fragrance that might help your baby calm and fall asleep. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid help maintain moisture and the skin’s natural barrier.”

Masciantonio has suggested avoiding highly fragranced shampoos: “Fragrances may smell nice but might cause sensitive skin to become dry and irritated. Parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and alcohols can also irritate and dry a baby’s skin. No tear formulas work but if you do use one, be careful around the baby’s eyes.” She added that parents should avoid any products not recommended by the FDA.

“There is no specific shampoo for either of these conditions, outside of the typically recommended infant shampoos and washes,” explained Masciantonio. For the Cradle cap, the pediatrician has advised parents to gently release the greasy scales by moisturizing and gentle scrubbing. For eczema, parents should reduce the use of body washes and shampoos, increase exposure to water-only baths, and frequent moisturizing.

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