14 mo separation anxiety - dad works night shift

I’m wondering if there are other moms who have gone through this in a similar situation.

Partner is an ER nurse that works a week on/week off. I still do 90% of the childcare when he’s off unless I specifically ask him to do something.

Our girl now FLIPS when he tries to hold her. She’ll call for him and say “dadada” but when he tries to hold her or hug her she’s full blown meltdown begging for me. It hurts his feelings and he calls her a “mean baby”, sort of jokingly but I don’t think it’s appropriate. I’ll tell her when he goes to sleep she’s not actually mean. I would say this has started in the past month.

Any advice? This is just a phase, right? I try to plan our days when I’m off so she can see him lots when he’s home. I’m drained and my emotions are on high today. I don’t know how to ask for help outside of the ways I already have. Any solidarity from moms with nightshift partners would be nice.

thank you