I hate to say this, but it is a very bad sign that your boyfriend has this self centered attitude. A relationship today, is ideally egalitarian. Not Paternalistic. You are seeing an aspect of your boyfriend, that you may not have totally accepted or understood.

Many men feel like they "need" to be taken care of...ie. have a "mother" instead of a wife! a partner in life.

You are not going to change him overnight, or maybe ever! If you attend counseling, you will learn all this from the therapist.

Male centered relationships only last as long as the woman can serve the male and his needs. If the woman becomes ill, or refuses, then that is IT for this type of situation.

If your boyfriend is into partnership, the give and take back and forth with both partners will change with time as various situations demand, and return to baseline or whatever is needed.

At this point, I'd be careful what you say to him and do. He may just need some time to adjust. But if he doesn't... you'll have to decide what to do then.