D.M.
A.,
Okay, going to be totally honest...I let my son have a bottle until he lost interest. Pedi's ALL tell us to take them off the bottle and it's mostly for the teeth, but if you clean her teeth and gums...no worries. I would work on the food first and then, sweat the bottle issue. My son was 18 months when he was off the bottle for formula/juice. I was more worried about nutrition and health than whether or not he was 'on time'. But, I did start offering milk/formula in a sippy cup at mealtime and this (I think) helped him associate it with food and not comfort.
Also, this stage is normal! Food is interesting and new, especially ALL the new colors, textures and shapes/sizes of everything she sees. My son hated being fed in a high chair after he was a year old, so I bought a booster with a belt thingy that attached to the chair and kept him secure. This sort of gave him the same feeling of being at the table for meals. And, as an alternative I'd have him sit with me while I ate, either in his seat or on my lap. He would eat off my plate, and I'd pretend to eat off of his...it was fun. When he was on my lap he could see me eating, and would want to eat too.
Let her make a mess. Let her discover and if she only eats a little bit, then it's okay. Make sure you give her a mutlivitamin, like Enfamil's Polyvisol and let her have fun. Eating is strange for babies, the food is great...but, it ends up being about discovery and learning. If she freaks out at you feeding her then, just let it be and let her do her thing. Clean her up and try again at the next meal. You can also offer finger foods at this stage like Gerber puffs, Cheerios or cut up smooshy pieces of bagel, bread or panckes.
During nice days, I would sit outside with my son and eat on the ground picnic style. At this age, it doesn't really have to be about eating at the table. Although, I did try to get everyone at the table with my son for dinner.
Don't sweat it! You're doing everything you can. And, you don't want to make it something that is stressful for both of you. Find creative times/ways to offer and teach her about eating food and you'll be fine.
Check out www.babycenter.com for ideas on meals, recipes and feeding amounts. I loved it and still use it sometimes. Just keep in mind that she's learning and this means we as Mommy's get to learn too.