In hindsight, from a mom of a 13 year-old, who way overspent. Seriously, I filled an entire IKEA full-sized dresser with newborn sized socks from Baby GAP, after a meltdown that my unborn child needed socks. He was born in August. With huge feet. He hated socks.
You need an infant car seat to leave the hospital.
A baby bath that fits in a sink is very helpful. Infants are slippery and wobbly and most of us are nervous at first washing them.
Costco brand baby wipes rock. They clean up sticky messes of all sorts.
Those infant nightgowns sold at Target in a 2 pack? You need those. Much easier than fumbling bleary eyed with onesie snaps at 2am diaper changes. Newborns can pretty much wear pajamas most of the time. So jealous!
On the topic of diapers, I would get at least some disposable ones. Unless you are very small people, do not get the newborn ones. Get size 1, especially if you go with a less expensive brand.
Breastfeeding is a touchy subject. I was so gung ho prior, but it did not work. I was stunned, angry, unprepared. Turned out I had a medical reason, but anyway. My advice would be shortly before your fue date find out whatever the current bottle most breastfeeding friendly is, buy 2. Buy a small amount of ready to feed formula. Hide both away. That way, in case of a true problem, you're not caught sending trying to find both during a power outage with a hungry infant. Ask me how I know... Worst case, you do not use, and you donate them.
My son hated the adorable Fisher Price aquarium themed swing I lovingly selected. I have pics of him in it where he is glaring at the fish like, WTF are these things? He loved our real aquarium....
Also hated the beautiful sleigh bed crib. Borrowed an Arms Reach cosleeper from a friend. That was better, but he ended up in our bed anyway.
Never got around to buying a changing table. I always thought they were weird. I just used a towel on the couch. On the note of weird: Diaper Genies! Nasty! Dump solid poop in toilet, flush. Take stinky diaper to trash outside. I never understood paying for a special stinky diaper sausage bin. Yucky.
You have the right idea. I wish I had a fraction of the money now that I spent on clothes alone for my son when he was younger.
Boppy nursing pillow was a great buy. Even though we ended up not breastfeeding, it was cozy while bottle feeding, he used it while learning to sit up, for naps when older. Also really enjoyed a tummy time activity mat. Neither are really necessary though!