Objective To explore the application effects of massive open online courses (MOOC) in mother-infant nursing education. Methods The students from 2 class in Grade 2 of the 3-year midwifery major of Quanzhou Medical College were selected by purposive sampling method. All the students were randomly divided into experimental group and control groups, with 47 students in each. MOOC was applied in the experimental group, which the traditional teaching method was adopted in the control group. The theoretical assessment and satisfaction of the students were compared between the two groups. Results After the course, the theoretical assessment of the experimental group was (86.64±5.44), and that of the control group was (80.51±6.50). The difference in theoretical assessment was statistically significant (t=1.59, P<0.01). The total result of the students' satisfaction in the experimental group was (17.50±2.13), and that in the control group was (14.57±1.73). The difference in satisfaction between the two groups was statistically significant (t=7.320, P<0.01). Conclusions The application of MOOC can improve students' academic achievement and satisfaction. It has positive significance to improve the teaching quality of mother-infant nursing education.