Help me with stopping BF to sleep

[IShallCallYouSquishy]

My DD is 11mo and had always BF to sleep at bedtime. She goes for her naps in her cot during the day absolutely fine. Cuddle and story then into cot awake. No fuss and self settles, sucking her thumb.

Bedtime we used to do bath then BF to sleep. Last night in preparation for me wanting to stop feeding at 12mo, we did BF, bath, story. She was so good having her story, just cuddled in sucking her thumb. Wasn't bothered about BF. As expected, as soon as I put her in her cot she screamed. I have her a cuddle, put her back, screamed. This went on for 30 minutes until I ended up cuddling her until she fell asleep. Tonight was exactly the same.

How on earth can she be so happy to go for her naps but not bedtime? How can I get her to settle without BF or cuddles? Tonight while cuddling I got a small cuddly toy with us which hopefully she will start to associate with comfort and falling asleep which I can give to her as I put her in her cot? Is this a good idea? Or what else can I do?

I realise its changing the habit of literally a lifetime for her, but please help me. I don't want to move from one prop (boob) to another (cuddles)

Thank you.