Using a buck converter for generating a negative voltage turns it into a completely different topology. That's why it behave totally different at startup.
Even the datasheet mentions the high inrush current:
This type of buck?boost inverting regulator can also
require a larger amount of start?up input current, even for
light loads. This may overload an input power source with
a current limit less than 5.0 A.
Such an amount of input start?up current is needed for at
least 2.0 ms or more. The actual time depends on the output
voltage and size of the output capacitor.
It needs a couple of amps at startup for a short time. If you power on the circuit with all caps discharged, it will stuck at the current limit threshold of your power supply and will not start up at all.
A buck converter will charge the output cap during startup because all the current flows over the inductor into the load. Therefore it will start up even with a current limited supply. But the inverting regulator will not charge the output capacitors, because the inductor is connected to ground, so all the current will flow directly to GND until the regulator starts switching. To make it operate correctly, it needs enough input current to trip its overcurrent protection. That's why it needs upto 5A for a very short time.