I think a diaper genie is one of those items that you do not need when you have a baby. I have a 7 month old and diapers really aren’t as bad as people seem to think they are. It really does not make a diaper small any better than if you just threw the diaper in the trash. I mean, how many times do you throw your trash out. usually daily. If you keep you trash around for days at a time then I would think it would smell whether there was a diaper in it or not. I think it is a waste of money and n definitely not a necessity for any mother.
The number one item to have at the very top of your shopping list for your new baby is a Boppy.

A boppy pillow is used for so many things when you have a baby. The boppy is used when you feed your baby so your arm does not start to hurt form holding up your baby with just your arm. It also is very soft and comfy for your baby to lay on a boppy when eating.
The boppy is also used when you want to have support for your baby when she starts to sit up. When babies begin to sit up, they fall back, and with the boppy around them, they do not hurt themselves.
The boppy is also great for laying your baby on to take naps when they are small, it holds them close and snuggly and it is very comfy.