At about 5 months (19 to 24 weeks) you will begin to feel your baby move, kick, twist, or turn. After this point, be aware that your baby moves every day. Usually by 24-26 weeks, the baby is moving regularly and if you think that your baby has not moved:

• Eat and drink something ex: orange juice, peanut butter crackers, a sandwich, or a glass of milk.
• Wait about 5 minutes.
• Rest on your left side if possible.

A healthy baby moves 10 times or more within 2 hours after you have had something to eat or drink. Remember, babies take naps and will sleep anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes at a time. If your baby doesn’t move right away, it may be sleeping and should wake and move 10 times in the time remaining.

How to do Kick Counts

• Do kick counts during your baby’s most active time of the day.
• Write down the time you start on the chart below.
• Place a check in the box each time your baby kicks, twists, or turns.
• After your baby has moved 10 times, write down the time again.
• Do kick counts every day and try to do them at the same time each day.