Tom Cruise has reportedly bought an adult-sized dummy for fiance Katie Holmes - to keep her silent during childbirth.

Tom hopes the large pacifier will help Katie to stay calm. A source is quoted in America's Star magazine as saying: "He commissioned an adult-sized "binky" for Katie to clench between her teeth, hoping that it'll squelch her screams.

"In keeping with a Scientology silent birth, Tom is prepared to do whatever it takes to muffle Katie's moans and groans during the delivery."

Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, in his book "Dianetics," also discourages painkillers being used during the delivery and maintains that childbirth should be silent to "save both the sanity of the mother and the child and safeguard the home to which they will go."

The Scientology website explains: "Having a quiet, gentle birth is all about providing the best possible environment for the birthing mother and her new baby."