how to get baby to kick more?

8 Tricks for Getting Your Baby to Move in Utero

pregnant woman and partner listening to baby move in utero with headphones
Try these tricks for getting your baby-to-be to kick, flip and roll.

All pregnant moms live for those moments when they can feel their babies moving inside of them. But there are actually things you can do to help your little one get going in utero in your second and third trimesters, when you can feel fetal movement. And lucky for you, we know what they are!

So when you're aching for your sweet pea to wriggle around in there, try these tricks for getting your baby to move and see if you have any luck encouraging those cute little kicks and somersaults you crave.
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1. Have a snack.

Babies respond to those blood sugar boosts of yours much like you do. Next time you're trying to do a kick count or just want reassurance that your little one is okay, try eating a healthy snack like cheese and crackers, peanut butter toast, Greek yogurt or fruit and nuts. For an extra jolt, add a small glass of (natural) juice. The surge in blood sugar is often all it takes to get baby to "kick" it into high gear.
2. Do some jumping jacks, then sit down.

This is a trick the practitioners doing my 20-week ultrasound taught me, since my camera-shy baby girl was hiding in there and it was hard to get accurate measurements. They told me to go into the hallway, do some jumping jacks or a little jog in place, then come back and we'd try again. The tactic worked; she rolled into a new spot so that we could see her. Yay!
Getting Your Baby to Move in Utero
3. Gently poke or jiggle your baby bump.

Another one a lot of pregnant moms (yours truly included) see in action during ultrasounds and doctors' appointments when tracking fetal movement and measuring baby. The practitioner doing the ultrasound often lightly shakes the device's wand over your tummy to get baby to perk up. And plenty of moms have felt their babies move in utero just with a gentle poke to the stomach or jiggle of their bump. Just remember not to prod too vigorously: You've got precious cargo in there!
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4. Shine a flashlight on your tummy.

By week 22, it's possible for fetuses to perceive light and dark, so you might feel your baby-to-be react if you shine a flashlight on your stomach. Your little one could well be turning toward or moving away from the spotlight!
5. Lie down.

All that walking, running and moving around we do during the day creates a nice rocking sensation that's more likely to lull babies in utero to sleep than get them up and at 'em. Which is why many pregnant moms notice that the minute they go to bed and are still for once, baby is awake and on the go, squirming around like crazy (good practice for those newborn overnight feedings). So even if it's not time to sleep (alas), stop what you're doing and lie down. If being on your back doesn't get you results within a few minutes, you can roll on one side or the other and see if that makes a difference.
6. Talk to baby.

All that talking and cooing you're doing to your baby bump isn't in vain. Fetal hearing starts developing around week 16, and by week 22, your little one can likely hear your voice, the swoosh of your blood, loud noises in the house and other sounds. He may even react by turning his little head, wriggling or jumping as his startle reflex kicks in. So talk to your baby, and talk to him often. Those sweet nothings are a good way to get him active.
7. Do something that makes you nervous (within reason).

That adrenaline coursing through your veins when you've got butterflies in your stomach can give baby a rush too. So if watching a certain suspenseful movie scene (or thinking about labor!) makes you jittery and you're itching for baby to move, go for it! Just don't send yourself into a full-on panic — that won't do either of you any favors.
8. Sing a lullaby or turn up the music (just make sure it's not too loud).

If your usual chatter isn't getting your tiny gymnast to flip and roll, try singing a lullaby or peppier song or turning up the music (some moms put headphones on their tummies). Your little one might respond in kind with a jig that you can feel if you're at least 22 weeks pregnant. Be sure the soundtrack isn't too loud, as that isn't good for baby's developing ears.

These tricks can be easy, fun and safe ways to get your baby to move in utero, but if they don't work for you, don't be concerned; all babies are different.
As long as you can feel regular movements, all is well (and remember that fetal movement ebbs and flows at different stages in your pregnancy). If you're worried about your baby's movements, check in with your practitioner to make sure everything is okay. Chances are it is, so just sit back and bask in one of the most amazing parts of being an expectant mom!