Baby Kicking | 9 Important Facts You Need To Know

Forward note from BB: the image of the baby kicking is not real!

Whether it’s your first baby or fourth, every pregnant mama looks forward to feeling flutters and experiencing that precious baby kicking.

Known as ‘quickening’ it’s a reassuring sign that your baby is growing and thriving.

Not all the movements you can feel are actually your baby kicking.

Babies spend plenty of time moving their hands and exploring the uterus, hiccupping, changing sides and even doing somersaults.

Babies are busy!

Baby kicking facts and fAQ’s

Pregnancy is full of wonder. If you’ve ever wondered what all those baby movements actually mean, here are 9 facts about baby kicking you should know:

Baby Kicking FAQ #1: When can you feel baby kick?

First time mothers-to-be usually recognize their baby’s movements late in the second trimester. This can be as late as week 24 of pregnancy.

Your baby has been moving long before that. But because the sensation is unfamiliar, you might not recognize it for what it is.

A baby’s movements aren’t very strong in the earlier stages of pregnancy – some mothers think they just have wind!

If the placenta is at the front(anterior) of your uterus, it may buffer the feeling of your baby’s kicks for some time.

Women having their second or subsequent baby usually recognize the ‘flutters’ of their baby’s movement much earlier – even as early as 12 weeks.

Baby Kicking FAQ #2: Why do babies kick?

Babies tend to move mostly in response to what’s happening in their environment.

Too much noise, light or even certain strong foods can stimulate your baby into kicking and moving.

Babies also need to stretch and move for relaxation.

If you’re moving about, it can be soothing for your baby, they will often relax and even go to sleep.

Mothers-to-be who participate in relaxation exercises, such as mediation or yoga, may find their babies are quieter.

This study found pregnant women undertaking a guided imagery relaxation exercise experienced a reduction in fetal movements.

The exercise resulted in physiological signs of relaxation in the mother, such as lowered heart rate, respiration rate, and skin conductance.

This in turn lowered fetal heart rates and decreased the movements of babies.

Baby Kicking FAQ #3:  How many baby kicks are normal?

The average number of kicks falls between 15-20 per day. This includes all movement, not just baby kicking your bladder!

Every baby is different, and this includes their movements.

Some babies literally sleep all day and move at night when you are asleep, whereas others seem to be moving all the time.

Babies rest and sleep in the womb as much as 17 hours a day, usually for periods of around 40-50 minutes at a time.

If you’ve been busy and on the move, you might not notice your baby’s wakeful movements.

Most pregnant women will notice a peak in activity after meal times, after being active, and during the evening.

Baby Kicking FAQ #4: When should I count kicks?

It’s generally suggested pregnant women spend time tuning into their baby’s movements from 28 weeks pregnant.

Pick a time during the day when your baby is more likely to be active, or when you’re able to rest and focus.

It’s important to be consistent, so try to choose the same time of day each time you count your baby’s movements.

Over time as you record your baby’s movements, you will begin to see what’s a normal pattern for them.

As your baby grows and develops, you shouldn’t feel less movement.

Rather your baby has less room to move and the sensation of her kicks will feel different.

Baby Kicking FAQ #5: How to check baby movements

It’s easy to miss feeling your baby kicking, especially if you’ve been busy and active.

If you think your baby’s movements have reduced, always contact your care provider for advice.

Most commonly, women are advised to get comfortable sitting or lying down on their left side (support your belly with a cushion).

You’ll be timing how long it takes for you to feel 10 kicks or movements. Have a pen and pad handy, and focus on all the movements your baby makes.

Over time, you will become aware of what’s normal for your baby, in terms of how many movements you feel by a certain time.

If you don’t notice 10 movements in a two hour period, or there is any change from what’s normal for your baby, contact your care provider immediately.

It’s important to have your baby’s wellbeing monitored sooner rather than later.

Baby Kicking FAQ #6: Does reduced baby kicking mean something is wrong?

While it doesn’t always mean something is wrong, reduced movement can be an indicator of fetal distress from lack of nutrition or oxygen.

A maternal and fetal assessment will be done to look at the cause of reduced fetal movements.

This involves an ultrasound to check the blood flow of the placenta and baby’s wellbeing, as well as how they respond to stimuli.

Sometimes a problem is detected and your care provider will discuss with you how to proceed if your baby needs to be born early, to prevent further complications.

Baby Kicking FAQ #7: Should I count kicks every day?

Keeping tabs on your baby’s movement is important, but unless you’re experiencing a high-risk pregnancy, there’s no need to be consumed about kick counts.

Most mamas will realize they have been very busy and haven’t noticed any movements.

This usually prompts them to focus on their baby who immediately starts kicking up a storm!

If your care provider advises you to monitor kicks, it can be useful to do this at the same time each day, after a meal or when your baby is usually very active.

Baby Kicking FAQ #8: Will my baby move less after 36 weeks?

Your baby should always be moving throughout the day.

After 36 weeks of pregnancy, babies have much less room for big movements like kicks and rolls.

This doesn’t mean you should feel a reduction in movement – they will still use their hands to explore their face and body, play with the umbilical cord, and try to stretch in their cramped surroundings.

Regular and rhythmic movements will indicate your baby has hiccups – some babies have hiccups at the same time every day.

Baby Kicking FAQ #9: Does fetal movement predict future behavior?

Your baby’s pattern of movement in the uterus is often cause for speculation of their behavior once born.

Everyone from your mother in law to the bank teller will tell you that babies who are active in pregnancy will have you run off your feet when they are toddlers.

Babies who sleep all day and ‘party’ all night will have their nights and days backwards, according to conventional wisdom. But how true is it?

A doctor from John Hopkins University has been studying links between fetal activity and future behavior.

In one study, Doctor Jane DiPietro looked at fetal activity in over 50 babies, then followed up with behavior assessments at one and two years of age.

The results seem to point to a link between movement in the uterus and regulatory behavior in early childhood. Regulatory behavior involves impulse control, inhibition and self regulation.

What should I do if I feel reduced baby kicking?

Feeling your baby move and kick is a special feeling, and one that most mamas look forward to and even miss after their baby is born! New milestones are being reached as your baby’s brain is wired for learning about the world outside the womb.

Baby kicking, or movement in general, is one of the first communications your baby has with you.

Any reduction in any movement should be noted and checked out by your care provider as soon as possible, to help you have a worry and stress-free pregnancy.