What to Expect When Baby Starts Moving
You might expect your baby’s first hello to feel like a strong kick—but more often, it’s a gentle flutter that leaves you wondering: was that gas or something more? These early stirrings may seem fleeting, but they mark the start of an incredible connection.
While many imagine a dramatic jolt, these first sensations are often soft, whisper-like movements—so subtle they’re easy to overlook. They tend to appear around the midpoint of pregnancy, catching many parents off guard. But once you know what to expect, these quiet moments become exciting milestones in your journey toward meeting your baby.
When Baby Movements Can Be Noticed
Babies begin to move in the womb as early as eight weeks, but these tiny movements are too light to be felt externally at that stage. Most expectant parents start to notice movement—called quickening—between 16 and 25 weeks. While some recognize flutters earlier, others may feel them closer to the 25-week mark. This milestone often brings comfort and emotional connection, as it’s one of the earliest physical signs of life inside the womb.
When Do Parents Sense Baby Movements?
It might not feel like much at first, but those tiny sensations could be your baby saying hello for the very first time. Quickening often feels like soft flutters, taps, or light bubbles, and it gradually becomes stronger as the baby grows.
When parents sense movement can vary widely. Those who’ve been pregnant before may notice it earlier—sometimes around 12 weeks—because they’re more attuned to the sensation. Factors like the baby’s position, uterus shape, or placenta location can also delay or soften the feeling. If there’s no noticeable movement by 24 to 28 weeks, a healthcare provider can help ensure everything is progressing normally.
How Baby’s Early Movements Feel
At first, baby’s movements can feel like small flutters or light bubbling inside the belly. Many people compare these first feelings to gas bubbles or the sensation of too much soda. Some say it feels like their stomach is flipping, sort of like being on a roller coaster.
As weeks pass, these movements become stronger and clearer. Around week 22, what started as soft fluttering or tickling often changed into firm nudges or gentle kicks. Some may also notice what feels like tiny scratches, which happen because babies already have sharp fingernails in the womb.
For those with an anterior placenta (placenta at the front), these sensations may be softer or harder to notice. The extra padding can make the kicks and flutters feel muffled, but the baby continues to move.
When Others Can Feel the Baby Kick
Most partners, family members, or friends can feel the baby move from the outside between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy. This time frame can be different for everyone. Sometimes, the position of the placenta affects how easily people can feel movement. If the placenta sits at the front of the uterus, it may block the kicks, making it harder for others to feel them.
Ultrasound scans can show where the placenta is, which can explain why some movements are harder to detect from the outside.
Reasons for Baby Movement
Babies move in the womb for several reasons. As the baby develops, movements like stretching, wiggling, and kicking help the brain and muscles learn how to work together. These actions also support the growth of strong bones and joints, allowing cells and tissues to develop properly.
Baby movement can also be linked to other activities, such as swallowing amniotic fluid, practicing breathing, or experiencing tiny hiccups. The placenta and umbilical cord deliver nutrients and oxygen that power these activities.
When babies move their eyes and flex different body parts, they improve coordination and help organs like the liver and lungs work as expected. Feeling these movements shows that the baby is getting stronger and healthier each week.
Why Babies Tend to Move More at Night
Many expectant parents notice that their babies seem more active at night. This pattern often comes down to awareness and timing. During the day, parents are busy and moving around, which can distract them from feeling fetal movements. When the evening comes and they begin to relax, they naturally become more sensitive to any kicks or wiggles.
Food and drink choices also play a part. If a parent has something with sugar or caffeine in the evening, this might increase the baby’s activity. Babies react to changes in blood sugar, so a snack or a sweet drink can lead to more noticeable movements as the baby responds.
What Baby Movements Feel Like
During the second and third trimesters, many expectant parents notice a mix of sensations. These can include gentle flutters, rolling motions, and stronger jabs or kicks. As the baby grows, there is often enough space for it to perform movements like somersaults or full body rolls.
Some parents feel sharp, sudden kicks, while others sense a slow, wave-like movement across the belly. Occasionally, strong movements may cause brief, sharp pain near the cervix. Becoming familiar with these patterns can help identify typical baby activity.
Is It Useful to Track Your Baby’s Kicks?
Tracking your baby’s movements can help you notice patterns and feel more confident about their well-being. Most experts recommend starting around 28 to 32 weeks, or earlier for high-risk pregnancies.
Here’s how to do it:
- Choose a time when your baby is usually active.
- Sit or lie down in a quiet spot, ideally on your left side.
- Place your hands on your belly and count 10 distinct movements—kicks, rolls, or flutters.
- Time how long it takes. Most babies reach 10 within 30 minutes, but it may take up to two hours.
Use a notebook or app like Baby Kicks Monitor or Kickme – Baby Kicks Counter to track results daily. A sudden drop in movement could mean your baby is sleeping—or could signal a concern like low amniotic fluid. If you notice unusual changes, contact your healthcare provider.
Devices for kick counting are also available and can offer peace of mind, especially for those wanting added support during pregnancy.
