Needed:
Activity gym (countless hours of use)
Steriliser (didn't actually have one but wish I had, will definitely get one if I have to do bottles with the (hopefully) next one - Milton & water was waste of time)
Change table (have section at top with matt & two shelves underneath...anything that is at the right height for your back that can store everything you need in one spot wins in my books)
BIBS - had 30+ and still wanted more but really hated cleaning them (perhaps will do disposable bibs next time)
Little leather shoe/slippers (only really for once they were walking but I found them brilliant for little feet that were starting to walk and non-slip on all services)
And lastly....A husband/partner that can supply breast milk for middle night runs & when it runs out!!!

Didn't Need:
Too many toys - too much fun had with cardboard packaging & plastic bottles & the like
Buckets loads of soft toys - nasty dust collecting things that are a bugger to store
Bath seat - hopeless waste of money
Digital ear reading thermometer - cost us $100 and never had an accurate reading - under the arm thermometer always reliable and cheap as chips.
Bath toys with holes at the bottom - damn things don't fully drain of all water and go moldy inside resulting in being chucked out (alternatively you can glue up hole).