Heartbroken daddy

Every since Joe started his new job we have gotten into a new routine the way it works out with his hours they're still asleep when he's up and leaving for work so when they get up its just me and them for the day until he comes home he spends about 3-4 hours with them before its their bedtime and I put them to bed. He does take care of all their night time feedings but they're dream feeds so they're typically asleep when this is going on. After about the first two weeks of him working all the sudden when he comes home to spend time with the girls they scream and cry and nothing he does will soothe them unless I come along. It's really made him feel like they don't like him or really know him anymore. I told him that it's probably due to the fact that before he went to work he was doing half of everything whereas now I'm doing it all so they've realized they are dependent on me more than him so when they need something they want me there instead. Plus I am their mom so I know that plays a part in being able to comfort them better than anyone else. So on the weekends I'm going to have him be there to help them when they wake up and put them to bed basically spending more time with them. Hoping this will help the situation. I just feel so horrible because he is so upset and heartbroken about it. He said he feels as if after everything he's done to bond with them and taken care of them that it's all been for nothing because they look at him like a stranger. Basically I'm reaching out to see if any of you girls have had similar issues and if so did you find any ways to remedy it. I've heard it's quite common and also can be a phase too. It's just breaking my heart to see him so upset and feeling terrible about it. Plus I am worried if he continues to feel this way he might just back off thinking he's causing more cranky babies then helping and I don't want that to happen. Any ideas girls???