The benefits to using a bassinet as an alternative to a crib are that it is smaller than a crib, allowing parents to keep it in their bedroom or around the house; its smaller size also allows babies to feel safer and cozier in the smaller sleeping space which newborns typically show a preference for; it is more portable than a crib and many bassinets have features like wheels – which importantly allow the new mother to wheel, not carry around some heavy piece of furniture, or a retractable hood which is wonderful to keep the surrounding noise and light from over stimulating your baby. Find some cost effective, yet sturdy and good quality models at http://www.jtwhitneys.com