Gut development is a phenomenon that starts early during the foetal period and continues during the first months of postnatal life. Structural and functional competences acquired during prenatal development prepare the foetus for extra-uterine life and adaptation to nutritional and microbial challenges. The development of the mucosal immune system occurs early after birth. Passive, innate and adaptive immune systems confer appropriate protection from harmful pathogens along with tolerance to ubiquitous dietary antigens and microbiota. A number of factors related to maternal environment during gestation and lactation are likely to influence the developmental profile of gut functions in young piglets. Compromised maternal-foetal relations, which are the primary causes of intrauterine growth restriction, induce digestive disorders due to gut immaturity. Moreover, establishment of the intestinal microbiota after birth plays an important role in the development of the neonatal gut and its immune system. Factors of maternal environment (diet composition, antibiotic treatment, etc.) that induce changes in maternal microbiota have huge effects on offspring gut physiology. Finally, there is a body of evidence that maternal diet composition may influence colostrum and milk composition, leading to changes in gut functions in piglets. Long-term impacts of early modifications of gut physiology in piglets are prospectively discussed in the conclusion.