Baby Hiccups vs Kicks: How to Tell the Difference in Pregnancy

As pregnancy progresses, movements become stronger, and you may start wondering: “Was that my baby's kick, or was that a hiccup?” Both are common, healthy signs, but they feel different. Here’s how to tell them apart and when you can expect each.

When Do Baby Movements Begin?

• Kicks & Flutters: Most moms feel the first flutters (quickening) around 18–22 weeks. They start gentle, like butterflies in your belly, and grow stronger as weeks go by.
• Hiccups: Usually noticed after 24–26 weeks, when your baby’s diaphragm is developed enough to practice tiny breathing movements.

How Baby Kicks Feel

Kicks are your baby’s way of stretching, rolling, or responding to your movements. They often feel:

• Stronger and more random
• Like jabs, nudges, or rolling sensations
• Spread across different areas of the belly — sometimes high near the ribs, sometimes low in the pelvis
• More noticeable after meals, when you lie down, or when your baby is active at night

How Baby Hiccups Feel

Hiccups are tiny spasms of your baby’s developing diaphragm. They usually feel like:

• Rhythmic, repetitive taps in the same spot
• A gentle, steady beat or pulse inside your belly
• Lasting a few minutes at a time
• Different from kicks, because they follow a regular pattern rather than random movement

Why Both Are Good Signs

• Kicks show your baby is active and growing stronger.
• Hiccups show your baby’s lungs and diaphragm are practicing for life outside the womb.

Both are perfectly normal and reassuring signs that your little one is doing well.

Quick Tip: Many moms like to use apps such as Count the Kicks or Sprout Pregnancy to track movement patterns in the third trimester. Keeping a log helps you notice your baby’s normal rhythm.