If you're doing cloth diapers, you're a better human than I and I have no information for you.
Diaper Sizes
These make no sense. They go by pounds but really you'll just figure out what your kid needs. Are they skinny? Smaller sizes for longer. Long torso? Maybe a different brand fits better. Sensitive skin? Stick with the Huggies or Pampers world of sensitive/"clean" lines. Or try some of the Fancy Expensive brands.
You probably want like 60 or so newborn size diapers for when baby comes home. If they're snap you might be in newborn size for a couple weeks (in which case you need way more). If they're a bigger baby you might go right into Size 1. The newborn ones are nice because they have a cutout for the umbilical, but you can also just fold down the top of size 1 to leave it alone.
Always have one pack of the next size up in your closet. It's a little unpredictable when they'll move to the next one.
As a general rule: more than two blowouts within a day or two means you should try a larger size.
Diaper Brands We Actually Stuck With
We wound up with sensitive butts so decided to stick in the Pampers/Huggies world. For Cleo we were pretty strictly Pampers for the first year or so (they just fit better). For Mouse Huggies seem better. Cleo is in a mix now. I have no info on any of the other brands. Evan has been the diaper guru and pretty quickly decided this is our universe.
Pampers Swaddlers (Cleo as infant): Great for the early weeks when fit matters most.
Pampers Cruisers 360 (Cleo 6 months–today): These are pull-ups. Starts at size 3. Great for when baby starts to stand and refuses to lay down for diaper changes. We still use these with Cleo now. To give you a size idea: at age 2.5 she's in size 5.
Huggies Snug & Dry (Cleo ages 1–2): We liked these generally, but recently moved to the Little Snugglers and like them more.
Huggies Little Snugglers (Cleo now, Mouse newborn+): These are great and they have extra front Velcro to keep tabs in place. Highly recommend.
Huggies Overnights: These are more absorbent (and bulkier). They also have the extra front Velcro. They start at size 3 so not an option out the gate. We've found we size up in overnights. At age 2.5 Cleo is in a size 5 in the Little Snugglers, but a size 6 in the overnights. We also use these during daytime when flying/driving long distance or if she is diarrhea sick.
Also yes, you read that right. We currently have three different diapers for Cleo in active use.
Wipes (More Different Than You Think)
Like diapers, these are more different than you'd expect. We again have stuck to the Huggies/Pampers world. There's a huge variety here in how "cloth-like" wipes feel. Which is equal parts being precious and practical (the nicer ones just clean better). You can get a more solid butt scrub.
People on the Internet love water wipes. The fact that they aren't chain-folded was a deal breaker for us. When you grab one wipe the next one doesn't reliably pop up like a Kleenex.
We started with Pampers Pure and are now team Huggies Natural Care Sensitive.
Things you'll find you care about: scent-free, quilted (baby poop is sticky, texture is good), and package top design. The last one seems weird, but Pampers and Huggies are the best at (a) serving up the next wipe Kleenex-style, and (b) holding the next wipe secure so you only get one wipe per pull. I swear you will care about these things. Pampers is slightly better at (b).
For Huggies we buy the individual packs for the diaper bag, and the refill bags for changing stations.
Boys Pee on You
Not that Cleo didn't pee during diaper changes, but for the most part it wasn't a big deal.
Mouse is a fountain. We bought Beba Bean Pee-Pee Teepees and they've been shockingly useful. We put it on him, then hold his feet with one hand frog-style keeping the thing in place while we wipe with the other hand. We have disposable ones for the diaper bag (Neat Solutions Tee N Toss Turtle). Don't work quite as well but are portable.
Diaper Paste and Application
See our full post on butt paste, application, and the song that makes it easier. TL;DR: we tried Vaseline, Aquaphor, Desitin, Triple Paste, and finally landed at Boudreaux's. Worth the hunt.
You need a paste applicator/butt brush at every changing station and the mini travel version in the diaper bag. Full stop. Just buy them. More in the butt paste post.
Changing Station Setup
You probably want more than one of these, depending on your floor plan. Consider that it's a pain (literally for the first few weeks) to go up and down stairs so if you have multiple levels you definitely want one per level.
Also consider who is going to sleep where. If baby is in your room, you might want a changing station in there. But also, if you're napping you don't want a screaming diaper change during your nap.
We have the Hatch changing pad for baby's primary station. Being able to check weight in the first few days, weeks, and months is great. Also it's wipe-clean which is fantastic as you're getting the hang of tiny butts and blowouts.
Things to keep at each changing station: diapers, wipes, backup wipes, Kleenex, butt paste, butt brush. Optional: backup onesie/sleeper, backup hat, burp cloths, hand sanitizer, Boogie Wipes.
Diaper Pail
Everyone online raves about the Ubbi. Overrated (although their on-the-go diaper disposal bags are great).
This is the best: Munchkin Step Diaper Pail Powered by Arm & Hammer
They have a UV one too but it needs special bags and needs to be plugged in. Unnecessary. We use the "refill rings" not the snap and seal.
More in our Newborn Survival Guide.