Know When Your Baby Starts Kicking!
It’s an exciting moment when you can first feel your baby kicking inside your belly. Here is all you need to know about when you can feel your baby and how to tell when the baby is really moving or just your own stomach movements.
When Can You Feel Baby Moving?
Generally, you can expect to feel your baby move between 16-22 weeks of pregnancy. If you’re carrying twins, you may feel movement as early as 13 weeks.
Is It Really the Baby Moving?
At first, the feelings can be similar to intestinal gas or muscle twitching. But, as the weeks pass, you will be able to distinguish if it is your baby or your own body movements. When your baby is moving, it will feel like a gentle thumping or fluttering, like a fish swimming in a tank.
What Should You Do if You Don’t Feel Movement?
If you think you should have felt your baby move by now, it may be time to call your doctor or midwife. They may recommend that you do a kick count where you track the number of times your baby moves within a certain period.
Ways to Encourage Your Baby to Move
Many expecting moms are interested to know how to encourage their baby to move from time to time. Here are some great tips:
- Reach for a Snack – Eating something sweet like a cookie can get your baby’s attention and encourage some movement.
- Talk to Your Baby – Your baby can pick up on your voice and your heartbeat, so talking to them often can help them be more active.
- Play Music – Playing soft music or a lullaby can help your baby get in the mood to move.
- Relax – Take some time to relax and give your baby the time and space they need to move.
Remember that every baby develops differently. There is no set timetable to when your baby will start to kick. But knowing when and how to recognize your baby moving can be a wonderful step in your journey as a new parent.