My daughters all found this book to be very helpful...
"Your Baby's First Year" (Second Edition) by American Academy Of Pediatrics. Lots of practical advice and available day and night!!
Lots of flannel receiving blankets.
They are warm and wonderful for swaddling.
They quickly cover wet spots in the crib in the middle of the night.
They are absorbant and great wipes in a spit-up emergency.
They cover the floor, bed, stroller... wherever you want to lay the baby.
They are heavy enough to make shade over the stroller, but not so heavy as to block the movement of air.
They are wonderful to cover a nursing baby in case there any prudes in the room.
They are usually available as a burp cloth.
They make a terrific absorbant bath towel.
They can be draped (or pinned) over a shopping cart to cover germs.
They make spectacular Super Hero capes!
They are the perfect size for a "hide-out" tent.
They are just right as a tea party, picnic cloth on the grass.
And..... when baby doesn't need them anymore they can be cut into squares and made into a soft quilt for a "big kid's bed".