Simon Cowell has defended his decision to his newborn baby to the beach.

Girlfriend Lauren Silverman gave birth to Eric, who is named after Simon’s late father, in New York on Valentine’s Day.

Over the weekend Lauren and Simon, accompanied by Simon’s dogs, Squiddly and Diddly, took baby Eric to the beach in Miami, where they are currently staying.

[related]They returned to the picturesque seaside spot again the following day.

Yesterday Simon responded to criticism that 10-day old Eric was too young to be on the beach: “Oh give me a break,” he told TMZ.

“We have a pediatrician, we checked everything with her. He’s very healthy.”

Simon has been quick to show off his new bundle of joy, releasing pictures of the newborn within days of his birth.

“I never knew how much love and pride I would feel” the X Factor judge tweeted last week alongside an adorable snap of him cradling baby Eric.