Everyone's going to have a different slant on things..you just need to read and see what you like. I wasn't around kids much either, but at least I had nurses training to give me some useful info.
I used cloth diapers as burp rags. I recently looked for some for a friends grandchild and had a heck of a time finding them. They are bigger than these things they sell as burp rags, and have the dual function that you can actually use as a diaper in a pinch if you run out..been there done that! And later they make great rags and dust cloths. Also can use under baby's swim suit if you go swimming.
I never had a swing or walker for any of my kids. They had to get around under their own steam. I did keep a playpen up so if I had to do something the baby was corralled. Also makes a great toybox, or if you have a 2 story home, baby can nap there instead of going up to bed. You do want to get them used to sleeping different places from the start.
An absolute must is the best carseat you can find.
You will want some kind of baby seat or carrier. It may well be part of your car seat. I liked the toy bars that you attach on the carsets...gave them something to play whith that they couldn't drop.
Ditto on the regualr garbage can with the foot pedal. Foot pedal a must!! I had a plastic one and put one of those stick on air freshners on the underside of the lid.
We used a regluar dresser for a changing table/dresser for baby's stuff. It was long. We bought it unfinished and did it ourselves. I got some vinyl in a kiddie print and some stuffing and made my own changing pad. YOu don't need a strap. Who ever heard of changind a diaper on a baby with a strap around their waist?? The kids both used these dressers for several years, and currently it's in our bedroom and my husband uses it. Can't do that with a changing table. They are worthless. If you have a multi level home..you can have a changing pad, wipes and a couple of diapers on the other level for emergencies, but for the most part you'll probably want to go to the regular place you change them.
Buy a used baby bed. New is so expensive. Be sure if's safe and the side rails are not too far apart. Cradles for the most part are a waste of $$ because they can't use them very long. Use your playpen as an alternate bed.
Even if you plan to breastfeed, a couple of bottles around are a good idea.
No baby shoes. Not until they can walk, and even then they are better off barefooted. Of course you can put the cutsie ones on for a little while because they are so gosh darned cute, but not for all day. Just footies. Their feet need to strengthen.
All that baby lotion/powder stuff??...you don't need it unless you have a problem. No need to lube baby up on a regular basis unless has dry skin...no need to powder them up unless has reddness in diaper area. You can wash baby with regular soap. For diaper rash use Vitamin A & D ointment or zinc oxide. If really bad diaper rash show the doc, may be a topical yeast infection and need medication.
Diaper wipes are a God send. Non-tear shampoo is also, and when they are older and have long hair..conditioner.
Get books and toys. Read to them from the first. My husband always sang to ours..tapped rythems out on their tummies...they grew to love music. That is still a special bond they have with their dad.
Get a good high chair. If you visit grandma's a lot for meals, grandma may want to invest too so you don't have to haul it.
I never liked the big diaper bags...too much to lug around. I prefered a small one with a compact thing of wipes, a few diapers, a burp rag, and a bottle if needed, or a sippy cup if older. And plastic bags...for containing dirty diapers if need be, and containing dirty clothes. Oh..and also a change of clothes. Maybe even more than one. If we were going somewhere for the day, I'd take more stuff in another bag, but the little bags are better for running errands or trips to the store, etc.
Really look at the quality of diapers...you don't necessarily need the most expensive. Once they are wet you change right away anyway. I usually got store brand.
If you are having baby showers...wait and see what you get before you buy a lot of clothes. When I had my first child, I don't think I had to buy clothes for the first 6 months. You may want to get that special outfit and blanket to bring baby home, and have a couple of onsesies, but don't get much.
I always liked the little thermal blankets..they are a waffle weave and kinda stretchy. Newborns can sometimes be a little disconcerted with all the space after leaving mommy, and wrapping them snugly..not tightly..can help comfort them. Check it out in the nursery...
I usually just kept my stroller in the car. If I needed it at home I got it out of the trunk.
If I think of more I'll add...
)??? What were some of the things you never used, outgrew too quickly to be worth getting, etc? My husband and I went and registered at Babies R' Us over the weekend (such a monopoly 
!). We were clueless!! I've probably held 5 babies in my life, never changed one, etc 
