help with installing Graco Passenger infant car seat?

I have a 2 week old infant who is a bit under 8 lbs. We installed the Graco Passenger infant car seat according to the instructions, but my son slumps over in it, which I don't think is safe because his airway could be blocked. The car seat comes with a built-in level to ensure the right recline, but it seems to me the seat needs to be reclined more to keep the baby from slumping. What should I do? As it is I don't feel like we can drive without a second adult in the car holding the baby's head up.

Could you post a picture that would really help us to help you

The level indicators can be anywhere between 30 - 45 degrees with most of them falling somewhere around the 40 degree mark.

If you look at the side of the carseat you will see a ridge/line that follows where the babies back is. You want that line to be 45 degrees from the ground.

If you are having trouble eyeballing the 45 degree angle, then take a piece of paper and fold it into a triangle. Match the ridge/line of the carseat up with the 45 degree angle of the paper and make sure the bottom of the paper is level with the ground.

You can lower the foot on the base to achieve a more reclined seat OR you can use up to 3 pool noodles taped together in a pyramid shape to get the right angle OR you can roll a towel up tightly to help achieve the right recline angle. If you use the pool noodles OR the towel, they would get placed under the base in the bight of the vehicle seat (where the vehicle seat back meets the vehicle seat bottom).

As the baby gets older and moves into a convertible seat, any angle between 30 - 45 degrees is fine (most like to be closer to 30 degrees), but right now you are correct with thinking that your baby *needs* that 45 degree angle.

Removing the headrest (if it came with one) can also help. There should just be two snaps that you undo.

Then, if you want, can roll up two small receiving blankets, and lay on each side of the babies head. Just be sure the blanket don't go over the babies head. Keep them along the sides.

Also make sure the harness is snug ( the harness should fit like the band of your bra, with no gaps or loose areas) and that baby's butt is all the way back in the seat.