Ok... probably throwing a spanner in the works here... but I just wanted to get some opinons.

I have been told by MCHN's and "experts" that, after 12 months, a bottle is no longer necessary and bottle fed babies should move onto cows milk via a sippy cup.

Now, I know that BFing can be extended until well after 12 months and the benefits are phenomenal and I realise that formula doesn't have the same effect nutrionally. However, I am looking at it more from a "comfort" point of view.

I intend to keep Gabby's morning and night time bottles for as long as she wants them. I will move to cow's milk when she is 12 months. I just feel that if having a bot-bot in the morning and at night before bed is comforting for her (and part of her routine), then why should I take it away from her?

I've recently dropped one of her 4 formula feeds because it was "time" to do so, but I felt like I was forcing her to do something she didn't want to do, iykwim? So I'd rather let her guide me and let me know when she wants to drop another bottle - even if it extends beyond 12 months.