Hollywood superstar Mel Gibson who recently welcomed his eighth child, has been praised as an "incredible" and "hands on" father by his girlfriend.

The 'Brave Heart' star's girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva gave birth to Lucia Anne on October 30 and was all praise for the actor's parenting skills, despite him having only spent three days with the tot since her birth, reported Hello magazine.

"Mel's very hands-on. He was amazing while he was here for a short visit. He has been very doting and nurturing. He is incredible with children, very kind," said Grigorieva who stepped out with Gibson just days after his wife of 28 years Robyn filed for divorce.

"He's ecstatic . He is very much in love with her already. She just wins people's hearts, she's so beautiful and tiny," said the classical pianist who has a 12-year-old son Alexander with actor Timothy Dalton.

The 53-year-old actor was forced to take a break from his upcoming film 'The Beaver' as he rushed to Los Angeles to be at Grigorieva's bedside.

"I was at home then I got rushed into hospital and, eight hours later, I could look at her beautiful face. Mel came just a few hours later because he had to fly from New York," said Grigorieva.