When Will My Partner Feel The Baby Kick? | BabyCenter

Most moms-to-be start feeling those first baby flutters between 16 and 22 weeks. For your partner? It usually takes until around 20 to 24 weeks to catch a kick from the outside – which can make the wait feel extra long when you're both eager for that moment.

"My husband is sad and frustrated that I can feel her move and he can't yet," at 22 weeks, shares BabyCenter Community member MrsHemminger88.

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Key Takeaways

• You'll start to feel movement between 16 and 22 weeks.
• Other people might be able to feel movement around 20 to 24 weeks.
• Being plus-sized or having an interior placenta can make it harder to feel movement from the outside.

How and when others can feel your baby move

Have your partner put their hand on your belly when your baby is being especially active. If you're lucky, your partner will be able to feel your baby kicking.

If your partner can't feel anything yet, wait a few weeks. It can take longer to feel your baby's movements from the outside, especially if you're plus-size or have an anterior placenta (your placenta is in the front of your uterus) that cushions the kicking.

"I think my husband has felt baby all of twice just because I have an anterior placenta, which makes it hard,” says BabyCenter Community member Eliza2320.

That said, each pregnancy is unique, and in some cases your partner may feel your baby kick before week 20 – or it could take until the third trimester. Depending on how thick your abdominal wall is and how active your baby is, they may be able to feel movements any time after you do.

Eventually, you and your partner will be able to see your baby move from the outside – no guessing needed. As your future bestie gets bigger and stronger, those kicks, jabs, and full-body flips can turn your belly into a whole performance. You might even want to catch it on video.

Use the kick counter in the BabyCenter appOpens a new window to log movements once they start. It's an easy way to bond and notice patterns as your baby grows.

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