It's a full time job

No matter what people say or how they may jest, looking after baba is a full time job, feeding, changing, settling, changing bedding, washing, sterilising, expressing (if you so choose to do so), immunisation/weighing appointments it all adds up. I for one never realised just how busy a new mum or even Dad can be.
Whilst it is said to be one of the most rewarding jobs you can ever do (& I agree), It can also be a thankless job (although I hear this continues well into the teenage years!)
There is also the pressure that particularly woman put on themselves to be the perfect homemaker as well as a mother. Part of this I think is that often babies have no 'end product' they can't reflect how hard you've worked all day particularly if you've had a mad tidy round at 4.30. My husband is very supportive but he can work long hours and as well as doing all the baby related tasks, I feel I need to tidy the house, cook the Tea, do the shopping and organise any jobs that need doing. He is very supportive and wouldn't I hope, ever say the dreaded 'and what have you been doing all day' but the thought looms ever present.
Why is this? Why the need to be a 'domestic goddess'? I think for many woman myself included it's what our mothers did (& seemingly effortlessly albeit seen through a child's eyes, it was probably anything but.)
Also as a working woman on maternity leave I feel a sense of self - induced pressure to make sure I am as busy in my new job as I am in my 'real' job. This I think links back to my original point that many people think that parenthood is a doddle and that whole 'hardest job in the world' is just a cliche.
 It's funny though as I'm never usually someone who feels I have to justify who I am. The fact my baby is happy, healthy and growing out of their 'new baby' wear at a top rate should be all the feedback I need and I'd tell anyone else the same. Now if only I could convince myself of that...

It does get easier

You may not think it when you're so sleep deprived you brush your teeth with your eyes closed (and that's if you actual get to brush your teeth before the day is out!) or its 3am and you have a very explosive nappy but it does. I am close to finishing the 3rd week of flying solo with baby (now that my husband is back at work) and whilst I still take each day as it comes, I truly have found the light at the end of the tunnel and with that, confidence. You just have to say to yourself, 'right I'm a mum now I can do this' coz chances are (unless you're very lucky and live in the same village as all your relatives, which I don't) the majority of the time you're all the little chap/chapess has got.