You really shouldn't use sand, especially with a baby. >: It can be really dangerous.

I've heard that from several people, yet the majority said it's the best for them because it helps keep the tank warm and it's 100% natural. I have been looking into getting the carpet, but then I don't know if I can afford the extra methods of heating.

Being natural doesn't really make a difference. It's not natural for beardies anyway, seeing as they don't live in that kind of environment. But I hear what you're saying.
I wouldn't take the risk of using sand, and I don't think you'd need anymore heating. My beardie is fine with a regular heat lamp and UV. His tank is bigger and still stays at a good temperature. But it's all opinion I guess. <:

Yeah, I guess I'd just need to upgrade the lamps. The ones that are on her now are for the tiny tanks. The larger ones might help out a bit more in this case. Do you use the reptile carpet then? Or paper like some others do?

What do you mean sand isn't natural in their environment? They are native to Australia and are desert lizards. lol

I don't mind opinions at all! I like having input so I can make her life better. (:

It's more dirt and rocks, not sand. Beardies are curious little things, especially that age. They lick everything and the sand will get stuck in their bodies and they will die a slow and painful death.

I use large pieces of bark, not wood shavings or small things like that. I may switch to carpet though as I just moved country and can't find anything similar to what I used.

I read that using bark can be bad for them. Something about crickets hiding in there and coming out at night when the beardie is sleeping and it greatly stresses them out. Hmm, well I will definitely be looking into healthier alternatives for my little one. (:

I never put my crickets in the same tank as where my beardie is sleeping.. and I hope you don't either, especially with sand!

Hahahaha, no I don't. I put them in a dish where they can't jump out and give them one at a time to make sure they don't run around and bother her. She's so cute when going after them. (:

lol hes like "You so jelly~"

Keep the sand if you wish, just never feed insects *in that cage*. Get a 54 qt plastic packing box from walmart and feed the beardie in that box, it only takes 10 min but the safety of not devouring sand that could lead to impaction makes all the difference.

I like using a 100 watt ceramic heat lamp in the center of the cage during the late fall through early spring, on 24/7, though I dont heat my whole house more than 65F so that is *required* for my reptiles.

Summer time I dont use an extra heater. I even begin cutting off the heat lamp during the hottest part of the day so they can get some relief from the heat as I do not air condition my house while I am away for work. The room can get to 85-90 F on it's own in the hottest part of the day. At about 4 pm when the heat starts to wane outside I have my two small window units turn themselves on. If I come home and both the bearded dragons are sitting in their water dishes I know I need to turn on the a/c earlier or turn off their lamps for another hour.

Wow! This helps me a lot! Thank you! :D