Caring for an infant correctly is very physically draining, and mentally stressful with big rewards that are late in coming.
This is not an expensive proposition, but it is intensive requiring considerable time and energy on the part of the caretaker (mom and/or dad). It is physically draining and mentally stressful.
On a scale of 1 to 10, ten representing a dedication and commitment equivalent to a person running for the Presidency, I would rate it at an 10, if it is done right.
It is why many misdirected men and women would rather "work" and hire a baby sitter or day care center to "watch" their kids than do it themselves.
But babysitters and day care centers are businesses and hence, labor issues, not the child's development, are more often the first consideration.
Notice how long it has taken me to say (sorry about that, but that's how I got this job) what some moms intuitively knew all along.