Skip the lanolin and get the Motherlove or Earth Mama nipple cream instead - it is spreadable and so much better.
Also, the Soothies gel nursing pads are awesome for the first week or so. Get 2 pairs and keep one in the fridge and switch them on and off after feedings.
Tucks pads and Dermaplast spray are a must for after vaginal birth.
Hand pump or electric pump to help with engorgement
Gripe water and/or baby probiotics - Biogaia is the best brand for the probiotics shown to reduce colic
White noise machine
Easy to grab snacks
Big water bottle
A, mom to Ethan age 5.5 and L age 2
I would have a Pack N Play, bassinet, or stroller bassinet ready to to go. Neither of my girls were comfortable in their crib for naps or night time sleeping until at least a month old. DD1 actually slept in the pack n play in our room at night until she was almost 4 months old.
Johnson & Johnson Nursing Pads; loved these. The Lansinoh ones were a close second, but the J&J ones rocked.
The Miracle Blanket Swaddler
Aden & Anais Swaddle blankets
cloth diapers for burp rags
Playtex Drop In bottles
can of formula at home for emergencies (I was almost hit in a car accident when DD2 was a week old and I had no formula at home, and very little breast milk so after that I never left the baby and DH or sitter at home without a can of formula)
Primo Bath tub or the Primo sink insert (really though the Primo tub is awesome!)
Annie
WOHM to two wonderful little girls born in April
DD E, 17
DD L, 13,
baby 2, 4-2009 (our Tri-18 baby)
Thanks to the OP for starting this list! There are a bunch of things mentioned that I'd forgotten I should be picking up in the next week or two.
Did someone mention a good supply of basic onesies for layering and/or on their own (depending on how cool it is and how baby's body temp runs)?
Big water bottle for mama for the constant thirst that comes with nursing.
A couple of soft hats for baby to help regulate body temp.
Good book(s) or magazines to read during marathon nursing sessions.
A bottle of champagne for when you're finally ready to celebrate. :-)
Cheri
Mommy to...
DD1 6/2/04
DS 3/9/07
and finally welcomed DD2 on 8/25/2011!
a couple of baskets that are placed strategically throughout your place-this was so key for me, with our looooong hallway, it was just way annoying and unnecessary to go to the changing table every single time for every single thing.
In my baskets i always had:
diapers
wipes
a water bottle for me
earth mama angel baby baby bottom balm (THE best baby product in the universe
oh, and earth mama angel baby nipple balm (another favorite)
a Vulli teething ring
a pair of baby socks
a burp cloth
nursing pads
DD S 2002
DD L born sleeping 04.2006
DD L 2007
Finally our littlest rainbow is here!
DD C 2010
As for the feminine pad thing, I read this on a midwives website before DS and it really helped:
Take a regular big pad and pour witch hazel on it. Coat with vaseline. Roll it up and freeze it. Do this before you have the baby so you have a few in the freezer when you return home. They were amazingly soothing during those first few days. Witch hazel is what's on Tucks, and I found having a bottle on hand and just adding it to pads was more comfy than wearing the tucks on the pads like they had me do at the hospital.
Amy
DS - June 2009
DD - September 2011
I don't think anyone mentioned this, but I would have some pacifiers on hand just in case. I wasn't going to give one to DD until she was several weeks old, but she turned out to be a baby who constantly needed to suck, and basically used me as a human pacifier. I was so exhausted that one night when she kept crying and crying I gave in around midnight and we were both much happier. OTOH, you may have a baby who won't take a pacifier at all, but you never know in advance.
I agree with PPs that the Earth Mama Angel Baby was much easier to use than lanolin.
A few other things:
if you'll be breastfeeidng in bed – pillows for propping yourself up during nursing sessions
nursing-friendly pajamas
a bucket or dishpan (I kept one in our bathtub) for soaking soiled clothing immediately (without having to go to laundry room/basement each time there's a blowout)
camera, memory card with room on it, and extra batteries for taking photos of baby's first days