how early can you feel baby kicks

February 24, 2026

Most people start to feel baby kicks (the first flutters, called quickening) sometime between 16 and 25 weeks of pregnancy, with many noticing them around 18–22 weeks. Some feel movements a bit earlier, especially in later pregnancies, but it is unusual to clearly feel kicks in the first trimester.

Quick Scoop

For many first-time moms, baby kicks are felt closer to 20–22 weeks.

In second or later pregnancies, some people notice flutters as early as 13–15 weeks because they recognize the feeling.

The very first sensations are usually light flutters, bubbles, or “gas-like” movements low in the belly, not strong kicks.

Your baby is actually moving earlier (around 9–10 weeks), but they’re too small for you to feel it from the outside then.

What It Feels Like

Early movements are often described as butterflies, tapping, bubbling, or a tiny fish flicking around.

As weeks go by, these change into more obvious jabs, rolls, and stretches, especially by the third trimester when babies can move many times per hour.

Why Timing Varies

First pregnancy vs. later ones: people pregnant for the first time usually feel kicks later than those who’ve been pregnant before.

Placenta position: an anterior placenta (at the front of the uterus) can cushion movements, so you may feel kicks later or more faintly.

Body type and baby’s position can also change when and where you notice movement.

When Partners Can Feel Kicks

The person carrying the baby feels movement first; partners usually can feel kicks from the outside starting around 20 weeks or later, once kicks are stronger and more frequent.

When To Call Your Provider

If you are past about 24–26 weeks and notice a clear decrease or change in your baby’s usual movement pattern, contact your healthcare provider promptly for advice and possibly monitoring.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.