There is nothing better than starting to feel the little one kick in the womb! It is a sure sign that, yes, indeed, there is a baby growing inside. Those movements remind us that soon enough we will have a kicking baby in our arms.

Did you know that your baby’s kicking changes each and every month? It is true! That sweet baby to be is growing throughout those long nine months and that includes her ability to kick at different rates, speeds, styles, and more. Each trimester may bring a flood of new experiences to the mom-to-be, and with kicking, each month can be vastly different, whether we are aware of the changes or not.

You are likely keeping real good track of those kicks. You might be aware that when you lie down to sleep at night, that is when your bundle of joy is the most active. You might discover that your baby seems to be kicking up a storm when are trying to get some stuff done. You might even start to notice that those kicks are becoming less and less as time rolls on. Find out exactly what is going on each month by reading on and learn something new!

15 Does Anything Happen During The First Trimester?

What To Expect tells us that the cells are rapidly evolving into a fetus, and therefore, during the first trimester you will not feel any kicking. Your baby is becoming a baby after all! There are loads of other feelings you may experience, from gentle fluttering to downright awful nausea, but none of that equates to kicking.

The first trimester is a very important time in the development of your baby.

So much happens right from conception, it is truly remarkable! Not to mention, once your baby has the ability to kick, the sheer nature of how tiny that baby is makes it basically impossible to feel just yet. Give it time though, before you know it, all you will be feeling is lots of kicks!

14 The Phenomena Of Quickening

Many times, early on, as early as even 13 weeks, you may think you are feeling your baby kick. While it is possible it is just gas, it is also very possible that it is your baby moving around and kicking!

The American Pregnancy Association refers to this feeling as quickening. Those are the very first fetal movements that you will be able to feel and experience. It is truly amazing! It may feel like butterflies in your belly, but is, in fact, your baby kicking! The American Pregnancy Association does say it can be quite difficult to determine whether you are really feeling your baby move, but there is one key way to find out if it is what you think- and hope it - and that is if there seems to be a pattern. Pay attention, and enjoy these first baby kicks!

13 What It Actually Feels Like

When a mom-to-be first starts feeling what she thinks is her baby kicking and moving, she is probably right! Mother’s intuition is an amazing thing, after all! But, how do you really know that what you are experiencing is your baby kicking? What does it feel like and is it the same for all women?

In the early stages of pregnancy, you will not feel a real kick. Your baby is just too small!

But you will feel all kinds of feelings that you have never experienced before.

Babycenter describes the feelings as everything and anything, such as tickling, muscle twinges, bubbles popping, fluttering, gassy feelings, and so much more! In other words, each expecting mama’s experience is different. If you think you are feeling your baby kicking, you likely are!

12 Be On The Lookout During Month 4

Been there done that moms and moms who are really in tune with their bodies often will feel the first real kicks during month 4. According to What To Expect, skinny mamas are more likely to feel these kicks, too.

The bottom line is that month 4 represents when the real and true kicking starts. While you may not be able to feel it just yet, whether it is because you have a bit of extra padding or just can’t seem to feel what you think are kicks, rest assured, you will begin to feel them before you know it! The kicks during month 4 can continue or begin to feel like a light fluttering. Don’t dismiss those butterflies in your belly, it is probably your baby kicking!

11 Most Pregnant Mamas Feel Those Kicks Month 5

The American Pregnancy Association reminds us that each and every pregnant woman is different. And, each and every pregnancy even with the same woman is different, as well! Therefore, it is often difficult to give a generalized chart of when things, like a baby’s first kicks, will occur and be felt by the mom-to-be.

With that said, the majority of pregnant mamas feel those sweet little kicks during month 5 of pregnancy.

This is typically the golden month for most expecting women,

as it kind of makes everything truly seem real, since it is highly likely this is the month that you will know there is really a baby growing (and kicking) in there! However, no need to fret if you are not feeling those kicks just yet, just make sure you are open and honest with your doctor if you are not feeling anything.

10 When To Be Concerned With Not Feeling Kicks

If you are in month 5 or more and you are reading and hearing that everyone and anyone feels their baby’s kicking motions by now, you might feel a bit worried. While it is important to feel your baby moving as your pregnancy progresses, every pregnant woman is different, and some may just not be at that point yet. Or, your due date, and therefore your pregnancy progress could also be off.

While not feeling those kicks just yet may be totally normal, it also could potentially indicate that something is wrong or amiss. Make sure you tell your doctor that you have not felt any kicking, by the middle of your fifth month, is time period that What To Expect recommends. Your doctor will check you out and figure out what is going on with that baby.

9 Month 6 Brings Out The Little Dancers

Typically, by the middle or end of month 6, you are experiencing a world of kicking! Your baby is really in the thick of it at this point in the pregnancy. You will be thinking that your baby is never going to stop those kicks!

The American Pregnancy Association does state that the typical baby weighs about 1 pound by now. That makes him or her big enough for you to feel those kicks, but also small enough for some pregnant women to still not feel them yet.

This means that month 6 can be vastly different from one pregnant mama to the next.

While one may feel nothing or just light fluttering, another could feel some real, crazy movements. As we have been saying, no two pregnancies are really the same!

8 Does Day Or Night Make A Difference?

What To Expect tells us there sure is a difference between kicking in the day versus the night, and it may not be what you are thinking! Babies tend to give us a little less kicking during the day, while many of our sweet little ones in the womb enjoy ramping up their kicking sprees while you are trying to get some shut eye.

So why is this? The theory is that during the day, we are typically moving around. We walk around, we work, clean, cook, run errands, etc etc. Basically, we are also on our feet or doing something. This may be lulling your baby to sleep! At night, you are relaxed and not moving. That is a signal that it is morning in the womb, and your baby is ready to get her kicks in.

7 Those Kicks Hurt By Month 7!

Once you enter into your third trimester, those kicks will likely be a regular thing. Babycenter notes that once you are into month 7, you will be feeling more active movements and loads of kicks, both in frequency and strengthen.

In fact, those kicks will make you think you have a tiny karate kid in your belly! The kicking can actually hurt, too, believe it or not. That baby might be small, but depending on how he is positioned and just the way he kicks and gives you some major discomfort and even pain.

Those growing babies seem to know just how to kick us perfectly in the ribs or straight on our bladder.

Ouch! Just remember that not all pain from kicking is to be concerning, sometimes it is just your baby kicking in the wrong spots.

6 Give Your Baby Some Energy To Burn

Remember, whatever you eat, baby eats! Therefore, a good thing to try if you are trying to get baby to kick is to simply have a snack! Baby needs energy, and you might, too. This is a good excuse to head into the kitchen and whip up something tasty (and maybe healthy, too!).

According to What To Expect, the best way to count those baby kicks is to eat a snack, perhaps drink some water or juice, and then lie down to wait for baby to start kicking. Something about food and water will get baby moving again, in many cases. You might even start to notice trends when it comes to food you decide to consume. Your baby may be trying to tell you he has a preference for certain foods, or that he doesn’t want that taste again, just based on those kicks after you eat.

5 You May Actually See Some Kicks Month 8

Once you see a real hand or foot pressing against your belly, you will never forget it. It is so remarkable to feel baby kicking, but to see it is something that is so special. Even if it might be a tad uncomfortable!

Babycenter tells us that

during month 8 there is a big chance you will get to see those tiny little hands and feet, kicking as though they are trying to break through and get out!

It is also fun to place your hand on your belly and see if baby kicks towards the warmth. It is truly an amazing experience, and one every mom-to-be will get to experience, so start watching your belly when you feel your baby move and you may really get to see a show!

4 When Mom Is Nervous, Baby Will Kick

The popular mom advice site, Babycenter, says that stress and anxiety can affect your baby. This makes sense, since, after all, baby is attached to you and likely feels many of your emotions, and is very in tune with what is happening to her mommy. When our babies our in our wombs, they are a part of us. What we experience, they experience.

You might find that if you are nervous or stressed out, your baby moves more. Now, you certainly do not want to stress your baby, so being mindful of your state of mind and stress levels is vital. Just because the baby is moving around a lot, does not necessarily mean that she is healthy. Undue amounts of stress can be damaging to an unborn baby. So work on your calming techniques and do not be afraid to seek help!

3 Might Be Harder To Feel By Month 9

When you are in your 9th month of pregnancy, there is not much room left in there for that baby! Baby is certainly still kicking, but it actually may feel quite different since baby is, well, kind of packed in there at this point!

What To Expect describes some of the differences you will feel in month 9. They include baby rolling over, which is a very cool, yet strange, sensation.

Those kicks? Well, they still occur, but they might hurt more than ever.

Your baby may kick you right where it counts- in the cervix. This could even cause you to double over in pain, that is how bad it could be! It may just be your baby knocking on the door, saying let me out, I want to meet my mommy!

2 Kicking During Labor And Delivery

During labor and delivery, the only thing your baby is thinking about it getting out! Kicking like you have been experiencing will not happen during delivery. However, your baby might kick during labor, especially during the early stages of labor.

Even before labor begins, your baby is making plans to be born. This includes what we know as dropping. Your baby will position herself into the birth canal, causes the feel and look of your belly dropping. Baby might still be kicking at this point, and probably is, but What To Expect describes it as different kicking and moving sensations than you have previously experienced. At this point in time, when baby is ready to be born, she will no longer be able to kick you in the cervix at least!

1 When You Don’t Feel Those Kicks Anymore

No matter what point you are in your pregnancy, it can be very concerning to not feel kicking from your baby. Whether you have not experiencing it at all, or it has come and gone, it is always best to speak with your physician to ensure all is right with your growing little one.

Many things can cause the baby to move and kick a bit less. Sometimes, as we have learned, it is simply because it is too early for you to feel your baby kicking. Other times, the position of your baby might cause you to not feel as much movement as you have previously felt.

However, keep in mind that baby should be kicking up until labor.

If your baby has seemed to stop moving around and you are near your due date, the experts agree it is probably best to get that checked out pronto.

References: Whattoexpect.com, Babycenter.com, and American Pregnancy Association.