Yes, babies need either formula, or breastmilk for the first year of life. They need the nutrients that are not available from other sources. However, solids can be introduced between 4-6 months, and cows milk (according to my pediatrition) can be introduced at 10 months. This is JUST an introduction though, and NOT to replace the formula. She suggested giving the milk in a cup to allow the child to get used to not only the milk, but also used to drinking from a cup. As the amount of solids increase, the amount of formula given levels off and then declines. By one year, a formula fed infant can generally transition completely to cows milk, soy milk, etc., but if you do not introduce it before that, you will have to continue to give the child formula until s/he gets used to it. You can not just switch one day from formula to cows milk etc. as that will not only upset the child, but upset their stomach as well.

You can definitely have your baby on formula for 12 months but you should start introducing more solid foods to them around 4 or 6 months. At this time babies know how to move the food from the front of their mouth to the back and can be spoon fed. You can still continue feeding them formula but you should try other things as well such as infant cereal. Infant cereal has a lot of iron that is very good for your baby. Around 6 and 7 months you can start feeding them mashed veggies. By 12 months old, you're baby may be teething and should be able to eat a variety of other foods.

hi,
according to doctors and babycare books, babies are unable to digest cow's milk before the age of 1. plus, it lacks iron which a baby needs. formula or breastmilk on the other hand will provide all the nutrients for a baby before the age of 12 months. once baby completes 12 mos, it is possible to shift to cow's milk and stop formula.

No. What do you think people did before formula was invented? There are numerous women that are exclusive breastfeeders nowadays.
If you go here...

http://www.llli.org/resources.html

They have everything you will need to know about breastfeeding. There are very few reasons not to breastfeed. I.E. medications, if your milk doesn't come in like if you have a mastectomy or reduction, the baby has allergies or some metabolic condition.

However, if you're talking about formula vs. cows milk... then yes. It doesn't have all of the proper nutrients a human baby needs-- thats why companies spent so much time/effort/money on creating formula.