In their first month or two, babies attempt to reach for dangling toys or other interesting objects (this is called pre-reaching). In the early months, most infants can't do this accurately or in a controlled manner, and their attempts often fail.
References
- Shelov, S. P. (Editor-in-Chief). (2004.) Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5. The American Association of Pediatrics. Revised edition. New York: Bantam Books.