How to Count Baby Kicks: A Complete Guide to Fetal Movement

Feeling your baby move is one of the most reassuring and magical parts of pregnancy. But beyond the joy of those little kicks and rolls, fetal movement is an important indicator of your baby’s health. Here’s everything you need to know about counting baby kicks.

When will I first feel my baby move?

Most pregnant people feel their baby’s first movements — called “quickening” — between weeks 16 and 25:¹

First pregnancy: Usually between weeks 20-25
Subsequent pregnancies: Often as early as weeks 16-18 (you know what to look for!)

Early movements feel like flutters, bubbles, or a gentle tapping. As your baby grows, you’ll feel more distinct kicks, punches, and rolls.

When should I start counting kicks?

Most healthcare providers recommend starting regular kick counts around week 28 (the beginning of the third trimester). ACOG recommends beginning at 28 weeks, or at 26 weeks for high-risk pregnancies or multiples. By this point, your baby has established a more predictable movement pattern.²

How to do a kick count

The most common method is the “count to 10” approach:

Pick a consistent time when your baby is usually active (often after meals or in the evening)
Sit or lie down in a comfortable position
Note the time and start counting any movement — kicks, rolls, jabs, or flutters
Count until you reach 10 movements
Record how long it took

Most babies will reach 10 movements within 30 minutes to 2 hours. What matters most is knowing your baby’s normal pattern.³

What’s a normal kick pattern?

There’s no universal “normal” — every baby is different. What matters is your baby’s pattern:

Most babies have active and quiet periods throughout the day
Babies tend to be more active after meals, in the evening, and when you’re lying down
As your baby grows (weeks 36+), movements may feel different (more rolls, fewer big kicks) because there’s less room — but they shouldn’t decrease in frequency⁴

When to call your doctor

Contact your healthcare provider if:

You notice a significant decrease in your baby’s usual movement pattern
Your baby takes longer than 2 hours to reach 10 movements
You haven’t felt any movement in several hours during a normally active time
Something just doesn’t feel right — trust your instincts

Don’t wait until the next day. Call your provider or go to your hospital’s labor unit for monitoring. It’s always better to check and be reassured.⁵

Tips for encouraging baby movement

If your baby seems quiet:

Drink something cold — The temperature change can stimulate movement
Have a snack — A sugary snack or cold juice often gets things going
Change position — Lie on your left side
Gently press on your belly — Some babies respond to gentle pressure
Play music or talk — Your baby can hear you!

Track kicks with Nooko

Nooko’s built-in kick counter makes tracking fetal movement simple and stress-free. Just tap when you feel a movement, and the app records everything — time, count, and patterns over time. It’s one less thing to worry about during your third trimester.

References

Cleveland Clinic. (2025). “Quickening In Pregnancy: First Movements & What To Expect.” https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/22829-quickening-in-pregnancy ↩
ACOG. (2026). “Special Tests for Monitoring Fetal Well-Being.” https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/special-tests-for-monitoring-fetal-well-being ↩
Cleveland Clinic. (2025). “Kick Counts (Fetal Movement Counting): Purpose & How To.” https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23497-kick-counts ↩
ACOG. (2026). “Special Tests for Monitoring Fetal Well-Being.” https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/special-tests-for-monitoring-fetal-well-being ↩
Cleveland Clinic. (2025). “Kick Counts (Fetal Movement Counting): Purpose & How To.” https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23497-kick-counts ↩