How to Count Kicks: The 'Count to 10' Method
Quick Summary
The Count to 10 method is simple: lie on your side, note the time, and count 10 movements. Most babies reach 10 within 15-30 minutes when active. If it takes more than 2 hours, contact your healthcare provider.
Count to 10 movements • Up to 2 hours maximum
Counting your baby's kicks is one of the simplest yet most powerful things you can do to monitor your baby's health during the third trimester. It requires no special equipment, costs nothing, and takes just a few minutes each day—yet it can provide valuable peace of mind and help you recognize if something isn't quite right.
The Count to 10 method (sometimes called "Kick Counts" or the "Cardiff Method") is the most widely recommended approach by healthcare organizations including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). It's straightforward, backed by research, and helps you become intimately familiar with your baby's unique activity patterns.
In this guide, we'll walk you through exactly how to do kick counts—step by step—so you can incorporate this reassuring practice into your daily routine.
đź“‹ What You'll Need
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A quiet, comfortable place where you can relax
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A timer (your phone works perfectly)
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A way to record (notebook, app, or our free kick counter)
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15-30 minutes of your time (often less!)
đź‘Ł Step-by-Step: The Count to 10 Method
Find a Comfortable Position & Relax
The first step is to settle into a comfortable position where you can focus on your baby's movements without distractions. The most recommended position is lying on your left side.
Why the Left Side?
Lying on your left side optimizes blood flow to your uterus and baby. This position keeps your uterus off the major blood vessels (the aorta and inferior vena cava) that run along your spine, ensuring your baby receives maximum oxygen and nutrients.
Tips for Getting Comfortable:
- • Use pillows to support your belly and between your knees
- • Turn off the TV and put your phone on silent
- • Place your hands gently on your belly to better feel movements
- • Take a few deep breaths to settle in
đź’ˇ Pro Tip: Can't lie down? Sitting in a reclined position also works well. The key is being still enough to focus on what you feel.
Start Your Timer
Note the time when you begin counting. You can use a clock, your phone's timer, or our free kick counting tool which times your session automatically.
Use Our Free Kick Counter Tool
Automatic timer + tap-to-count + session history
Best Times to Count:
Choose a time when your baby is typically most active. For many babies, this is:
- • After meals — blood sugar changes can stimulate movement
- • In the evening (7-11 PM) — many babies are most active then
- • After drinking something cold — can sometimes encourage activity
🎯 Consistency Matters: Try to do your kick counts at roughly the same time each day. This helps you learn your baby's normal pattern.
Count Any Distinct Movement
Now, count each movement you feel until you reach 10 total movements. Don't worry about counting only "kicks"—many different types of movements count!
What Counts as a Movement:
Count These âś“
- • Kicks and jabs
- • Rolls and turns
- • Swishes and swirls
- • Punches
- • Flutters
- • Any distinct movement
Don't Count âś—
- • Hiccups (rhythmic, repetitive)
- (Hiccups are reflexive, not voluntary movements)
How to Tell if It's Hiccups:
Hiccups feel like rhythmic, repetitive little pulses or twitches that happen at regular intervals (like a heartbeat). They're caused by your baby's diaphragm contracting. Regular kicks and movements are more random and varied in intensity and location.
đź“ť Quick Tip: If you feel several movements in quick succession (like during a big stretch or roll), count them as separate movements if you can distinguish them. If they blend together, count as one.
Stop When You Reach 10
Once you've counted 10 movements, note the time and you're done! Record how long it took so you can track your baby's pattern over time.
The Goal
10 movements within 2 hours.
Most healthy babies reach 10 in just 15-30 minutes when they're awake and active.
If You Don't Reach 10 in 2 Hours:
Contact your healthcare provider or go to the hospital for evaluation. Don't wait until tomorrow. Learn more about when to seek help →
Keep a Record
Recording your kick count sessions helps you understand your baby's normal patterns and gives you something to share with your healthcare provider at prenatal appointments.
What to Record:
- • Date and time of the session
- • How long it took to reach 10 movements
- • Any notes (baby was especially active, you'd just eaten, etc.)
Download Your Session Report
Our kick counter tool lets you export a PDF report to share with your doctor.
âť“ What is "Normal"? Every Baby is Different
One of the most common questions mothers ask is, "Is my baby moving enough?" or "Is this normal?" The truth is, there's a wide range of what's considered normal, and the most important thing is understanding your baby's unique pattern.
What You Might Experience:
- • Quick sessions: Some babies are very active and reach 10 movements in just 5-10 minutes
- • Slower sessions: Other perfectly healthy babies may take 30-45 minutes or longer
- • Quiet periods: Babies sleep in the womb (usually in 20-40 minute cycles), so you may catch them during a nap
- • Active times: Many babies are most active in the evening or after meals
The Key: Know YOUR Baby's Pattern
After a week or two of daily kick counting, you'll start to recognize your baby's normal rhythm. Some babies are morning movers; others are night owls. Some are constantly wiggling; others are more laid-back. What matters is noticing changes from your baby's established pattern.
Factors That Can Affect Movement:
May Increase Movement
- • After eating (especially sweets)
- • Cold drinks
- • Lying on your side
- • Quiet environments
- • Evening hours
May Decrease Awareness
- • Being busy or distracted
- • Baby's sleep cycle
- • Anterior placenta (cushions movements)
- • Higher amniotic fluid levels
- • Very late pregnancy (less room)
Do babies move less at the end of pregnancy?
This is a common myth. While the type of movement may change (more rolls and stretches, fewer big kicks as space gets tight), the frequency should remain consistent. You should continue to feel your baby move regularly right up until labor. A significant decrease in movement at any point in pregnancy should be checked.
đź“… When Should You Start Counting Kicks?
Most healthcare providers recommend starting daily kick counts around 28 weeks (7 months) of pregnancy. By this point:
- Your baby has developed regular sleep-wake cycles
- Movements are strong enough to feel consistently
- Patterns become more predictable
Note: Some healthcare providers may recommend starting earlier (around 26 weeks) or have different instructions for high-risk pregnancies. Always follow your healthcare provider's specific guidance for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways: The Count to 10 Method
- 1. Get comfortable — Lie on your left side or recline in a quiet spot
- 2. Start your timer — Choose a time when baby is typically active
- 3. Count any movement — Kicks, rolls, jabs, flutters all count (not hiccups)
- 4. Goal: 10 in 2 hours — Most babies reach it in 15-30 minutes
- 5. Know your baby's pattern — Consistency helps you spot changes
- 6. When in doubt, get checked — Never wait until tomorrow
References & Further Reading
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) — Fetal movement counting guidelines
- March of Dimes — Counting your baby's kicks
- Count the Kicks — Evidence-based kick counting education
- NHS - Your Baby's Movements — UK guidelines on fetal movement