There are about 1 million uses for the many exercise balls that are on the market today.  Being a personal trainer and aerobics instructor for about 8 years now, I could probably think of 1 million and one. . . but the exercise ball is a must have for any new mom.  Not for exercising--enjoy your baby--these are the most precious times.  The ball is AWESOME for calming and soothing babies and promoting closeness because you must hold them.  As a new parent, you will find yourself doing some real funky moves to satisfy your little one's crying.  Babies like to be rocked, but I bet you will find yourself bobbing up and down with success.  After zillions of hours of bobbing, your knees may start to ache--probably because of lack of sleep and poor nutrition during this new stage, but that's a whole different guide.  Get yourself a ball--the 65 cm ball would probably do for most.  I have a Reebok Stayball--there is sand in the bottom so it doesn't roll away when you stand up--kind of nice if you are holding a baby.  Have a seat and bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce. . .My Jakob longed for bouncing, in fact, we thought we created a monster because at one point, that's all he wanted to do.  He grew out of it.  He still likes to bounce at 6 months, but it is more for play than soothing--and he wants to sit up and see the world now.  I'm telling you, this is an absolute must have.  Really inexpensive--so if your little one doesn't like it, you aren't out a huge amount of money.  A great gift for mom's to be--just be sure to let them know it is for bouncing a baby, not exercise--you don't want to hurt her feelings!!  The exercise part will come when you are ready.  Little kids love to play with big toys too--but you might want to send them outside with it!!  Well, good luck, and I hope this gives somebody some quiet, a new gift idea, or just a moment of time spent learning something new!  JODI